The team behind Lake 5’s revitalisation project – Ooi (left), Wong (centre), and Teoh (right).
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) remains steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, equipping not only young talents but also local communities with the skills and knowledge needed to drive sustainable food production and environmental conservation.
As challenges such as land acquisition difficulties, rising production costs, water pollution, and disease outbreaks threaten the aquaculture sector – and, by extension, food security and human health – collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including universities, are crucial in exploring innovative solutions.
In Kampar, Perak, the region’s tin-mining legacy has left behind numerous unattended water bodies, which present untapped opportunities for sustainable development, particularly in aquaculture.
Recognising the potential of these abandoned lakes, UTAR researchers initiated the revitalisation of Lake 5 at the Kampar campus – an ongoing fish farming project led by Assoc Prof Wong Wey Lim, Assoc Prof Teoh Chaiw Yee, and Asst Prof Ooi Ai Lin from the UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc).
Highlighting the environmental risks of neglecting these lakes, Wong explained,“The abandoned ponds and lakes around Kampar are valuable resources for agriculture, especially for sustainable aquaculture that focuses on providing high-quality proteins.
“The natural ecosystem formed at the ponds would die over the years if they continued to be left untended.
“Once the ponds dry up, it will not only affect local biodiversity and ecosystem, but also make agriculture activities in these ponds impossible, leaving us with lands that are no longer viable for cultivation.”
Previously, the team successfully transformed Lake K11, located at the UTAR Agriculture Park, into an educational site that serves as a model for research and community engagement.
The initiative demonstrated how abandoned ponds could be repurposed into viable start-up commercial aquaculture platforms.
The transformation of Lake 5 marks the first UTAR ecological aquaculture project that involves a collaboration with an industry partner.
It essentially serves as a fish farm that not only promotes sustainable fish production and commercialisation, but also strengthens university-industry research collaboration.
Lake 5, before (left) and after (right) clearing the water hyacinth.
Wong said, “Our goal is to sustainably produce high-quality proteins to nourish society, while promoting fish production practices that minimise environmental impact.”
For this project, the team partnered with PNT Gading Enterprise to cultivate high-quality fish based on sustainable methods.
While the research team from UTAR monitors the conditions of the lake and provides scientific guidance, the enterprise provides its expertise in on-site operations and marketing.
At Lake 5, a variety of freshwater fish species are cultivated, including milkfish, patin, and carps.
To ensure high-quality fish while preserving the lake’s ecosystem, Wong’s team harnesses the lake’s natural resources, including its body of water, space, and ecological assets, focusing on biological integration to achieve the concept of self-sustainability.
Wong shared, “Our approach ensures that microorganisms such as plankton in the water not only serve as a natural food source for the fish, but also create diverse ecological niches for fish growth.
“This helps the fishes thrive while minimising excess nutrients in the water, which will contribute to a balanced and sustainable aquaculture system.”
Beyond its role as a fish farm, Lake 5 also serves as a research hub that drives research innovation among agriculture students, offering hands-on experience in sustainable aquaculture, water quality management, and ecosystem balance.
One of the students involved is Colin Kiu Qi Song, who is pursuing his PhD in Biological Science.
Along with his peers, Kiu assists in water sampling and analysing the lake’s conditions.
As the fishes reach a marketable size, students will conduct further analyses to evaluate their health, growth and quality, providing insights into their aquaculture and food security research.
“As more lakes will be revitalised in the near future, we hope to collaborate with more industry players, as it will help to improve the farming and marketing techniques of local aquaculturists, and at the same time, we can make better use of the natural resources of the lake to sustainably produce freshwater fish for the local market,” Wong enthused about the project’s future.
Teoh (left) and Kiu collecting water samples at Lake 5.
The transformation of Lake 5 at UTAR Kampar campus further underscores the university’s commitment to integrating academic and industry expertise to achieve greater heights.
It also marks a significant step towards ensuring food security and preserving natural resources for future generations.
As the FSc team continues to explore joint initiatives with more industry partners, the Kampar community can look forward to the prospect of enjoying aquatic proteins that are sourced from sustainable and healthy aquaculture farms.
Visit UTAR’s Open Day on May 10-11, May 24-25 and May 31 to June 1, from 9am to 4.30pm at both Kampar and Sungai Long campuses.
For more information, go to www.utar.edu.my or call 05-468 8888 (Kampar campus), 03- 9086 0288 (Sungai Long campus).
