DCM: Ministry to upgrade all inland fisheries centres in Sarawak
KUCHING: The Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development plans to upgrade all five inland fisheries training, research and breeding centres in Sarawak.
It is learnt that these centres are located in Semariang Batu and Semenggok here, as well as in Sri Aman, Betong and Lawas.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas also points out the need to equip these centres with all the necessary modern facilities.
“I can see a huge potential in the industry of breeding fish, prawns and crabs in the state,” he told reporters after visiting Semariang Batu Inland Fisheries Research and Training Centre here yesterday.
Uggah said through upgrading, these centres could then support the industry and furthermore serve as the training and research centres as well as a hub to produce fish fry.
“We are particularly interested in the breeding of prawns, ‘siakap’ ( barramundi) and tilapia by the smallholders – as additional income sources for them,” he said.
Uggah, who also heads the ministry, said he would wait for both short and long-term reports from these centres regarding their area development plans to fit into the upgrading works.
“I am also waiting for a development master plan for inland fisheries focusing on the breeding of fish, prawns and crabs, as well as (to set up) a production culture.”
On the Semariang Batu centre, Uggah said it was once a vibrant training and research centre for ‘ udang galah’ ( large freshwater prawn), ‘siakap’ and ‘ terubok’ ( local shad).
“Now, the 55-year- old centre is quite run down,” he observed.