Aquaculture has massive potential in Sabah and is, like many other places in the world, a fast growing industry. Aquaculture production (2003) in Sabah was 11,706 MT generating a total of 55 million USD in earnings (farm gate price).
Currently, there are almost 30,500 ha of aquaculture reserves around Sabah. Most of these areas have not yet been developed. The majority of areas currently under development are the prawn pond aquacultures. A number of other species are also cultivated, though in much less quantities. These include green shell mussels, oysters, sea cucumbers, tiger groupers and several varieties of seaweed, which are still at the development stage and have massive potential for growth within the state.
Gazetted Fisheries Reserves
Land allocated as Aquaculture Management Zones within Sabah
In addition to the above areas, the Department of Fisheries under the 9th Malaysian plan has also recently allocated another 63,000 ha into Aquaculture Industry Zones (AIZs). These areas are massive in size, especially when put into a global context.
An AIZ is similar to an industrial estate. The land is made accessible by putting up the basic infrastructure such as roads, power, water, communications and other basic facilities to spare interested investors the high cost of land acquisition and preparation.
DHI will soon be undertaking a training programme covering a mixture of course and field work to assist the newly formed Sabah State Aquaculture Department in the development of the AIZs. This training programme will focus on determining suitable site locations of farms, possible environmental effects and developing long term environmental monitoring programs and guidelines. The specific goals of this training program are:
- Technical monitoring guidelines (sampling design, technical guidelines and quality assurance)
- Preliminary monitoring master plan (environmental quality objectives, environmental information system defining data handling and data analysis, equipment and personnel requirements and dissemination of information)
- Draft Guidelines on processing or review AIZ/PMM reports for aquaculture and formulation of approval conditions
- Draft AIZ Guidelines
The New Zealand aquaculture industry is well established and consists of approximately 3,500 ha of water space, mostly utilised for green shell mussel production and fish farming. However, like Sabah Malaysia, there is also considerable potential for further expansion.
DHI Malaysia/New Zealand has recently undertaken a successful EIA court case concerning the suitability of a farm site in the South Island of New Zealand. This highlighted the versatility of the MIKE 21 modelling suite in determining hydrodynamic and sedimentological implications of the site.
Regional councils and unitary authorities around New Zealand are now responsible for developing aquaculture management areas (AMAs) for their coastlines. DHI modelling tools, combined with the extensive scientific knowledge, can be utilised in the planning of these AMAs and in resolving EIA management issues.
For further information please contact Neil Hartstein ndh@dhi.com.my or Terry Van Kalken tvk@dhiwae.com