KUCHING: The state government intends to initiate commercial caged breeding of Tilapia fish around the areas of Bakun and Murum hydroelectric dams to increase the source of food in the state, said Assistant Minister for Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.
He added that a research was currently being conducted on the breeding of fresh water fish in the aforementioned areas.
“This is already happening within the area of Batang Ai hydroelectric dam whereby a couple of companies and individuals operate it,” he said after officiating the release of 100 fish into the State Library’s lake here yesterday.
An accumulative amount of 1,000 fish will be released into the lake in stages for the fishing competition, that will be held in conjunction with the State Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) 150th anniversary this coming September 29 with prizes of RM3,000 for first place, RM2,000 for second place, and RM1,000 for third place.
Abdul Rahman Ismail said that they selected Tilapia fish for commercial breeding in the two dams following the increase in the harvest of the fish being cultivated commercially around Batang Ai.
He added that the state government, through the State Department of Agriculture, also wants to increase the harvest of aquaculture farming, especially fresh water fish seeing as the ones from overseas were getting less due to the change in weather and other factors.
“This (aquaculture farming) will balance out the ones from the sea that are decreasing because fish has been an important source of protein for the people here, together with chickens and other food sources,” he said.
Meanwhile, DUN will be organising a fishing contest next month on October 5 to 6.
The competition expects to see 200 participants with cash prizes of RM8,888 for first place, RM7,777 for second place, and RM6,666 for third place.
