Co-operative grateful for lifting of ban on aquaculture-bred fish exports
KOTA KINABALU: Koperasi Pengusaha Akuakultur dan Perikanan Sabah Berhad yesterday thanked the state government for giving a boost to operators and bumiputeras in the aquaculture industry through the lifting of the export ban on live aquaculture-bred fish.
Its chairman, Khoo Mum Huah, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, and top government officials for their open-mindedness and empathy for the people’s plight.
Khoo had previously urged the state government to provide clear directives as to whether the ban on the export of fresh seafood was applicable to the aquaculture industry.
Yahya subsequently responded that several species of live cultured fish would be allowed to be exported, including Tiger Grouper and Giant Grouper.
On another note, Khoo hoped to have a dialogue with restaurateurs to discuss better pricing for seafood supplied by fishermen and aquaculture farms.
He said restaurants should offer a better price for seafood supplied by fishermen considering the latter risked their lives at sea to catch fish.
“As restaurants earn huge profits, they should not forget how di f ficult li fe is for the fishermen.”
Khoo hoped that the restaurateurs could establish a mutually beneficial relationship with fishermen and aquaculture operators by offering a better price for their produce.