Malaysia’s aquaculture sector nets over US$200M
The industry emerges as a major driver of Perak state’s fisheries economy with growing potential for rural and youth participation.
MALAYSIA – Malaysia’s Perak state has reported that its aquaculture industry generated a production value of approximately US$215.28 million (RM910 million) in 2024.
According to Perak Fisheries Director Mohd Ghazali Abdul Manap, aquaculture accounted for 14.92% of the state’s total fisheries output, producing 76,804 tonnes of fish and seafood products.
The performance makes aquaculture the second largest contributor to Perak’s overall fisheries revenue, with 1,342 registered operators engaged in the business.
Ghazali noted that aquaculture continues to play a key role in ensuring food availability while also creating jobs and business opportunities for residents across different regions of the state.
He said the focus moving forward is to strengthen the industry to reduce Malaysia’s reliance on seafood imports and expand the export of locally farmed products.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Perak Fish Fiesta held at Dataran Victoria, Ghazali highlighted the growing interest in freshwater fish farming and value-added fish products.
He added that these areas show strong potential for development, particularly among small-scale entrepreneurs and young people in rural communities who are exploring aquaculture as a viable business.
Cooperation and Sustainability
The director emphasised that close collaboration between farmers, the fishing community, and government agencies remains essential to sustain the sector’s competitiveness.
He also said that continued engagement and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders will help promote responsible farming practices and ensure long-term growth.
Promoting the Blue Economy
During the same event, Ghazali explained that the Fish Fiesta brought together several initiatives, including the myAgropreneur Fisheries (myAP) and myKomuniti Fisheries (myKP) Central Zone Entrepreneur Carnival.
Other highlights of the programme included the Taste of Aquaculture showcase and the 2025 Foreign Fish Hunting Grand Prix Finale, both aimed at engaging the public and promoting fisheries products.
The two-day event was designed to raise awareness about the state’s aquaculture potential while advancing Perak’s broader blue economy agenda.
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