Perak: Perak is taking steps to expand mussel (kupang) farming on a larger scale and is targeting aggressive growth of the aquaculture industry over the next few years.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) director Ahmad Zulkifli Ismail stated that the expansion is on track with an application for a new area of about 72 hectares in Manjung Selatan submitted to the state government. This initiative is part of the Perak Blue Economy Roadmap, within the Perak Sejahtera 2030 development plan, aiming to meet the rising consumer demand for fresh seafood.
Ahmad Zulkifli made these remarks during a visit to the Sungai Tinggi Fishermen's Association mussel farming project. He noted that mussel farming in Perak began in 2015 with initial funding of approximately RM150,000, and has since benefited from additional state allocations. The project, which started small, has yielded over 100 metric tonnes of mussels over the past decade from sites in Sungai Tinggi and Manjung Selatan. However, production currently falls short of demand, leading LKIM to prioritize expansion.
Mussel seeds are sourced from Johor, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan, but Perak's production is distinctive for its sweeter flesh, attributed to the unique environmental conditions of higher salinity waters. Ahmad Zulkifli highlighted that water quality, salinity levels, and weather are crucial for mussel growth and quality.
Sungai Tinggi Fishermen's Association chairman Abu Salim Karim said the project involves about 50 participants across 2.4 hectares. Each cage contains roughly 500 mussel lines, with 10 cages currently in Sungai Tinggi. Mussels mature in six to nine months, offering returns up to three times the initial investment. Despite challenges like unpredictable weather and barnacle infestations, the potential earnings are substantial.
Mussel farmer Ahmad Faney Mohamad Hashim shared that he started mussel farming as a supplemental income source. Having farmed mussels since 2016, he finds it more manageable than fish farming due to lower disease risks and reduced feed costs, as mussels feed on natural plankton and organic matter. One mussel line can yield 20 to 25 kilogrammes per cycle, and successful harvests can significantly boost income, earning farmers like Ahmad Faney about RM1,000 per harvest.