KUANTAN: The Pahang government has assured that fish supplies will remain sufficient throughout the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season, which began on November 5 and is expected to continue until March 2025. This assurance is backed by data from 2023 reflecting substantial fish production from marine capture fisheries, aquaculture, and inland capture fisheries, totaling 136,853 tonnes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Seri Mohd Soffi Abd Razak, the State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Biotechnology Committee chairman, highlighted that the RM1.32 billion in fish production indicates a monthly fish output of approximately 5,071.92 tonnes. This quantity is sufficient for distribution beyond Pahang’s borders. The production marks a six percent increase in quantity and a 15 percent rise in value compared to 2022 figures, affirming Pahang’s leading position in fisheries on the east coast. The breakdown of contributions to the 2023 fish production includes RM910 million from marine catch fisheries, RM354 m
illion from aquaculture, and RM53.5 million from inland fisheries.
During the Pahang State Legislative Assembly at Wisma Sri Pahang, Mohd Soffi responded to a query from Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain about the current fish supply status in Pahang after the MTL season commenced. He mentioned that the State Department of Fisheries has implemented immediate measures to support Sungai Pahang caged fish breeders, especially those impacted by flooding.
The measures include early notifications through notices and letters since October to prepare for the MTL season and potential floods, advising operators and breeders to secure their cages, and planning fish sales suitable for market demands before the monsoon. Breeders affected by disasters are encouraged to report to the District Fisheries Office and file police reports to facilitate access to aid from the Agricultural Disaster Fund under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security after the MTL season.
Historical data shows that the state government, through
the Department of Fisheries, has distributed disaster fund assistance amounting to RM307,425 to 45 farmers in 2020, RM463,000 to 179 farmers in 2021, RM1,951,767 to 275 farmers in 2022, and RM192,470.85 to 42 farmers in 2023.