Fahmi with tuna catch at the Butterworth deep-water wharf last month. – Courtesy pic via BERNAMA
GEORGE TOWN: The tuna landing industry in Penang has experienced a significant upward trend and the state is poised to become a major hub for landing and processing tuna, says a state executive council member.
Agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said Penang recorded a total tuna landing of 431 tonnes last year with an estimated value of RM7.76mil.
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This was a significant increase from 177 tonnes worth RM3.19mil the previous year, he said when debating the motion of thanks for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s speech at the state assembly here on Wednesday (May 21).
He added that the state government would continue to strengthen facilities, infrastructure amd logistics, and provide comprehensive support services to boost the industry’s growth as part of a long-term strategy.
"The state has considered several sites to establish a new tuna landing port. However, there are constraints related to land ownership and the suitability of water levels for tuna vessels to dock,” he added.
Fahmi said the effort is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s socio-economic growth through new job opportunities and downstream industries, such as high-tech tuna processing centres capable of producing premium quality seafood products for the global market.
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He also noted that the uniqueness of the exclusive tuna landing operation on Penang presents potential as a new tourism attraction, capable of drawing visitors both domestic and international.
Penang has been the main entry point for tuna into Malaysia since the early 1990s, with many foreign vessels, including those from Taiwan, choosing the state to land, process and re-export tuna to markets in Taiwan and Japan.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the fisheries sector’s achievements continue to show positive growth, as shown by the increase in total marine product landings for last year reaching 39,231 tonnes, up from 38,226 tonnes in 2023.
"The state government is also strongly committed to expanding the aquaculture industry in Penang. A new aquaculture breeding area will be established in Sungai Semilang, Juru.
"I believe the opening of this new breeding area will boost production and create more job opportunities for locals in the aquaculture entrepreneurship sector,” he added. – Bernama
