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UMT is building modern catamarans to help increase fishermen’s catch

UMT is building modern catamarans to help increase fishermen’s catch

Monday, 20/12/2021

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Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is in the process of building new boats with modern features.

The boat is in its prototype stage. The initiative is part of UMT’s efforts to help the community that uses the sea as a source of income improve the rate of their catch. In addition, the use of the modern boats can help minimize the environmental damage caused by excessive use of fuel such as petrol.

UMT Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said that UMT has the experts who can help with the boat design and who are knowledge in the field of fisheries.

“UMT will use all the expertise to create a prototype of a new, modern fisherman’s boat, and if it proves successful, the boat will be commercialized and used in the country’s waters to help realize the government’s aspiration towards reducing the dependency on imported seafood,” Professor Mazlan said during the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between UMT and MSET Inflatable Composit Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

“The use of well-designed catamarans as fishermen’s boats can provide positive impacts towards the socio-economic development of fishermen, such as helping them increase their income, making the job as fishermen more attractive to the younger generation, and transforming the method of fish catching into one that is more sustainable and effective.

“The long-term sustainability of marine fisheries is one of the most important issues that needs to be managed, in addition to the socio-economic development of fishermen and their community.”

UMT is the first university in the east coast region of Malaysia to have built a prototype of new, modern fishermen’s boat.

The project, which is titled Transforming Coastal Fisheries through Model Prototype Design and Development of an Innovative Fishing Vessel, is being supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) through the Strategic Research Fund grant totalling RM3.1 million. The project is led by Professor Dato’ Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar, Distinguished Research Fellow at UMT’s Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS).

Meanwhile, Dr Mohd Fazrul Hisam Abd Aziz, a lecturer from the Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science (FPSM), said that the prototype is equipped with a modern fishing gear that will ensure only full-grown fish are captured.

“The prototype is expected to increase the amount of catch as only full-sized and quality fish will be captured. The new boat will also be able to remain at sea for a longer period than the current boats and will only require low-cost repair.

“The boat’s fishing gear will reduce side catch, which will provide a good impact towards the sustainability of the country’s fisheries resources for future use.

Dr Fazrul added that the boat may also be used for recreational activities, which have recently become more popular.

 

 

 

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Corporate Communication Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu