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IMTAS will change commercial prawn farming landscape

IMTAS will change commercial prawn farming landscape

Wednesday, 09/11/2022

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A fund totalling RM150,000 has been allocated for the development of a prototype of commercial prawn farming system.

The system that is being developed by a team of researchers at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is employing the latest technology that allows for efficient operation and minimal monitoring.

The prototype called Indoor Multi-Techno Aquaculture System (IMTAS) is expected to lead to increased production, which will help stabilize the country’s prawn market.

IMTAS lead researcher Associate Prof. Ts. Dr. Nor Azman Kasan said the method employed will provide a high return compared to the traditional m methods.

“IMTAS uses the Re-Circulating Aquaculture System (RAS), biofloc technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to offer more systematic monitoring of water quality.

“The system will also enable polyculture, whereby seaweeds (Caulerpa sp.) will be cultivated together with the farming of marine prawns in a closed system.

“Hence, the system will ensure greater return compared to a monoculture of seaweeds.”

He said that the system that is being developed uses the super intensive marine prawn farming method that combines the Rapid Biofloc (Rapid BFTTM) technology, Internet of Things (IoT), and several other technologies.

“IMTAS will change the landscape of prawn farming industry in the country by opening a new avenue for farmers who are still reliant on conventional below-ground ponds.”

The Rapid Biofloc (Rapid BFTTM) used in IMTAS is one of UMT’s innovation product that is based on microb technology for use in water quality control system, Dr. Nor Azman said.

“IMTAS can be used for large-sized farming areas, making it suitable for commercial marine prawn farming.

“With efficient water quality control system through the use of innovation and IoT application, it will be easier for farmers to manage and monitor large-sized prawn farming, and water consumption will be less compared to the older methods.

In addition, the soon-to-be introduced system can be monitored from a distant using an application on a smartphone.

“This method will minimize the prawn death rate due to its continuous and efficient monitoring. It will reduce water borne diseases that contain dangerous pathogens brought by continuous water inflow and thereby reduce pathogen infection.”

“Interestingly, the controlling and monitoring of IMTAS can be done using an application on a smartphone.”

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu through AKUATROP has conducted several joint projects with those in the fisheries and aquaculture industry.

The IMTAS prototype project is being carried out in collaboration with a renowned industry player Serandu Aquaponic System Sdn. Bhd. (SERANDU). UMT and SERANDU recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding at UMT’s campus in Kuala Nerus.

 

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Corporate Communications Office
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu