Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) has been proactively conducting research in marine science and aquatic resources and also future food in an effort to help the government meet food security for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

AKUATROP was awarded the title of Higher Institution Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in December 2020 under the niche area of Future Food: Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture. MOHE has allocated RM6.75 million to AKUATROP for this purpose.

Aquaculture Research

AKUATROP focuses on four main research programmes, namely Resource Sustainability, Breeding Technology, Food Health and Quality Assurance, and Green Technology, that can contribute towards the country’s food security agenda.

Aquatic resource sustainability is the key to ensuring species with commercial value can be maintained for quality seed production, which in turn will enable natural food supply can be sustained.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said that under the Resource Sustainability research programme a release of mud crab seeds and a release of 2 million freshwater giant prawns to several main rivers in Terengganu have been carried out, intended to increase the population of the species in those areas.

“Based on the feedback from the fishermen in those areas, the quantity of prawns has increased a year after the release. A study by AKUATROP has shown that the rate of freshwater giant prawn seed release amounted to 200,000 prawns.

“The release of mud crab seeds and freshwater giant prawn seeds into the rivers will yield an economic return of RM450,000 to the fishermen. The average amount of freshwater giant prawn catch has increased from 4 kg (worth RM160) to 9 kg (worth RM360).

In addition, 300,000 crab seeds produced at AKUATROP Hatchery have been successfully released into a mangrove area at Sungai Pulai, Johor and Setiu Wetlands, Terengganu.

For the Breeding Technology research programme, AKUATROP focuses on crustacean species free from diseases and that have great potential in aquaculture in terms of farming management technology, high market demand, high market value, and most importantly are able to improve the socioeconomic status of farmers and coastal communities.

Quality seeds help increase production quantity and reduce the cost.

Establishment of Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC)

According to Prof. Mazlan, AKUATROP has initiated the establishment of Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC) in line with the country’s food security mission. Quality seeds will help increase production quantity and reduce the cost.

“The main agenda is to develop parent species that can withstand diseases for the sustainability of the aquaculture farming industry in Malaysia.”

He added that AKUATROP is rearing high quality local parent species to provide sufficient supply to seafood industry in Malaysia and the region. This effort can help stimulate the economy of coastal communities and industry players.

Green Technology Research Programme

A project under this programme is Black Soldier Fly (BSF) research. AKUATROP and its industrial partner have succeeded in creating food for aquatic animals, namely fish and prawns. The food will be mass produced and marketed to farming food manufacturing sector.

A ton of organic wastes will be processed to yield on average 200 kg of raw material daily from farmed BSF larvae. BSF are insects easily found all over the world in different species. The larvae contain high content of quality protein, chitin, and lipid for daily needs.

The use of BSF as an alternative can reduce dependence of fish-based protein food that is expensive and unsustainable.

Animals fed BSF food have been scientifically proven to grow quickly and develop a stronger immunity. This alternative can meet a wide market demand and fulfil the government’s call toward food security and future food.

Reducing Dependence of Imported Food

The National Agrofood Policy and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan aim to help the government reduce the dependence on imported food and increase food security and supply of the country.

The use of an alternative protein source from BSF will reduce the need for the country to import raw items from outside. It will also enable meeting high protein source needs for aquatic animal farming, which will help B40 farmers.

Under the Food Health and Quality Assurance programme, AKUATROP focuses on research regarding aquaculture waste for the purpose of the production of substances that can increase the life span of seafood products before being marketed. This will help reduce the financial loss experienced by seafood industry operators.  

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu