PEKAN: Fish landings nationwide increased by 1.89 million metric tonnes last year, compared with the 1.75 million metric tonnes reported in 2022.
Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said that the agency aims to increase its number this year to achieve the goals set by the government under the food security agenda in meeting the people's needs.
"So, we, at the agency level, will ensure that the support components for fishing activities can be repaired and the quality and services improved.
"Among the things that need to be improved are opening more ice factories and renovating our complex, which has become worn out over time," he told Bernama.
He said this after officiating the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia-PERTONAS Madani Fishermen’s Children Back to School programme at the Pekan Regional Fishermen's Association office on Thursday (March 7).
A total of 100 fishermen's children received RM150 vouchers to buy school supplies. They were also provided with school bags, hats and water bottles.
Kuala Pahang in Pekan, Pahang, is the last location where the programme was held, after having been held in four states, with a total value of donations amounting to RM110,000.
Muhammad Faiz said that, apart from focusing on the number of fish landings, the agency also examined aquaculture, using the latest technology to increase fish production in the country.
"The Agency has established a collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) for transfer of technology and training, to make the aquaculture industry successful.
"We also want to increase the number of youths involved as fishermen, who currently represent 30% of the total number of fishermen in the country, by providing skills training. We not only want to see the progress of physical infrastructure but seriously develop human capital,” he said. – Bernama
