Serdang: The Department of Fisheries (DOF) has launched two free applications, the Electronic Aquaculture Support Services Delivery System (eSPeKS) and AquaTrack, to facilitate the operations of aquaculture farmers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Director-general of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain stated that the two applications are designed to work in tandem. eSPeKS streamlines online applications for assistance, while AquaTrack enables farmers to manage and record farm operations digitally. Adnan highlighted that eSPeKS digitises the entire process of applying for, evaluating, and approving assistance. All information is stored in a centralised database to facilitate monitoring and the application process with the department.

Adnan elaborated that AquaTrack serves as a digital logbook for monitoring farming performance, covering records of fingerling stocking, feed consumption, and harvest yields. It includes automatic feed conversion ratio (FCR) calculations, production cost estimates, and break-even point calculations to assist in operational planning. Additionally, the platform offers aquaculture guidelines, information on fish and shrimp diseases, and the ability to generate enterprise reports.

In another development, Adnan announced that Malaysia and Thailand had completed virtual inspections of the seabass and shrimp farming sectors as part of the export activity assessment process between the two countries. Conducted in the first week of August, these inspections followed a review of questionnaires regarding the status and farming methods. Several farms and hatcheries were involved in the process to assess disease control and food safety aspects, including the use of chemicals prohibited under the Food Act 1983. Both countries were satisfied with the inspection results and are awaiting final discussions with Thai authorities before making recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS).

Addressing the haze situation, Adnan urged fishermen, especially those using small boats, to remain vigilant, prioritise health, wear face masks, and monitor the Air Pollutant Index (API). He advised fishermen to travel in groups, keep their families informed of their location, and use navigation equipment such as radar and GPS if visibility is reduced.

For the aquaculture sector, Adnan advised careful planning of activities during hot and hazy weather to reduce the risk of livestock deaths due to stress or disease. He suggested reducing stocking rates if fish show signs of stress and promptly selling fish that have reached market size to minimise the risk of losses.