Floods: Aquaculture sector suffers RM28mil in losses, says Fisheries Dept

SHAH ALAM: The losses suffered by aquaculture entrepreneurs in flood-affected states is estimated at RM28mil while for myKomuniti Perikanan fisheries operators (myAP) and inland fishermen, the losses are estimated at RM800,000, according to a preliminary report from the Fisheries Department.

The department, in a statement Thursday (Jan 13), also mentioned that it has received a report on the value of the amount of assistance required through the Agrofood Reviving Programme (disaster fund) and it will be forwarded to the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry.

"The assistance channelled is subject to the set rate and limit, which is assistance up to 50% of the operating costs (seeds, equipment and feed) according to the operator's livestock system.

"The limit of assistance to be given also does not exceed 50% of the value of losses reported and confirmed by the district or state Fisheries Office," the statement read.

The department said the assistance to be given would be in the form of agricultural input, equipment or machinery, business equipment assistance or other forms of assistance that would help revive the target group's projects as well as farm mechanisation and automation.

For the fisheries sector, the target group is small-scale aquaculture farmers who carry out freshwater and brackish water farming activities as well as hatcheries in areas up to two hectares or using cages not exceeding 15 units, the department said.

The Fisheries Department also said affected operators can submit an application to the district or state Fisheries Offices by submitting the relevant complete documents. - Bernama