UMT through its Institute of Tropical Aquaculture (AKUATROP) released one million giant freshwater prawn seeds into several rivers at different locations as part of the effort to maintain their existence.

Earlier, AKUATROP, the pioneer in crustaceans research in Malaysia, had conducted a series of studies to find ways to increase the population of giant fresh water prawns in Terengganu.   

Through Translational Grant, UMT research team led by Prof. Dr Mhd Ikhwanuddin Abdullah used giant freshwater prawn biological marker, the first of its kind in Malaysia, to conserve and increase the population of giant freshwater prawns in Terengganu.

According to Prof. Ikhwanuddin, the project was a continuation of the Phase 1 project carried out last year.

The selection of the locations for the release was based on the results of a study, which showed that Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) was the lowest at three rivers, namely Nyatoh River, Paka River, and Terengganu River.

The seed release project is expected to increase the population of giant freshwater prawns and help ensure that the resource in the three rivers and others can be managed in a sustainable manner.

Meanwhile, UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar said that this type of programme gave big impact to the university and to the local community.

She said that the crustacean research programme was one of UMT’s contributions to help increase the income of the local community especially the B40 group.

“When the seeds reach maturity, they not only will stabilize the population of giant freshwater prawns but will create extra income to the local community who are mostly fishermen,” she said.

Prof. Nor Aieni said that UMT as a leading university in marine science and aquatic resources would continue to play its role in the transfer of knowledge and technology to the local community through the teaching and learning, research development, and other activities to ensure that the resource ’s sustainability can be maintained.

Published by:

Corporate Communication Centre

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu