Latest news with #RM3.19mil
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang's tuna landing industry surged sharply last year, says exco man
Fahmi with tuna catch at the Butterworth deep-water wharf last month. – Courtesy pic via BERNAMA GEORGE TOWN: The tuna landing industry in Penang has experienced a significant upward trend and the state is poised to become a major hub for landing and processing tuna, says a state executive council member. Agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said Penang recorded a total tuna landing of 431 tonnes last year with an estimated value of RM7.76mil. ALSO READ: Tuna-landing hub offers sea of opportunities in Penang This was a significant increase from 177 tonnes worth RM3.19mil the previous year, he said when debating the motion of thanks for the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's speech at the state assembly here on Wednesday (May 21). He added that the state government would continue to strengthen facilities, infrastructure amd logistics, and provide comprehensive support services to boost the industry's growth as part of a long-term strategy. "The state has considered several sites to establish a new tuna landing port. However, there are constraints related to land ownership and the suitability of water levels for tuna vessels to dock,' he added. Fahmi said the effort is expected to have a positive impact on the state's socio-economic growth through new job opportunities and downstream industries, such as high-tech tuna processing centres capable of producing premium quality seafood products for the global market. ALSO READ: Tiger prawns released in Penang waters to restore biodiversity He also noted that the uniqueness of the exclusive tuna landing operation on Penang presents potential as a new tourism attraction, capable of drawing visitors both domestic and international. Penang has been the main entry point for tuna into Malaysia since the early 1990s, with many foreign vessels, including those from Taiwan, choosing the state to land, process and re-export tuna to markets in Taiwan and Japan. Meanwhile, Fahmi said the fisheries sector's achievements continue to show positive growth, as shown by the increase in total marine product landings for last year reaching 39,231 tonnes, up from 38,226 tonnes in 2023. "The state government is also strongly committed to expanding the aquaculture industry in Penang. A new aquaculture breeding area will be established in Sungai Semilang, Juru. "I believe the opening of this new breeding area will boost production and create more job opportunities for locals in the aquaculture entrepreneurship sector,' he added. – Bernama
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tuna hub reeling in profits
Rich haul: Fahmi checking a shipment of frozen tuna during his visit to Butterworth. GEORGE TOWN: As the tuna hub of Malaysia, Penang had more than twice as much tuna last year compared to the previous year, says Fahmi Zainol. The state agrotechnology, food security, and cooperative development committee chairman said figures from the Fisheries Department showed 431,000kg of tuna worth RM7.76mil were brought in 2024, more than double the 177,320kg (RM3.19mil) in 2023. He said the increase reflected Penang's growing role in the tuna industry, which has been developing since the early 2000s. Recognising the industry's potential for further growth, he said the Fisheries Department has rolled out several initiatives to attract investment. 'These include incentive schemes such as the Small and Medium Agro-based Industry Expansion Programme (SPeKS), the Agropreneur Muda Grant Programme (GAM) for youths aged 18 to 45, and the zero-interest Agropreneur Financing Scheme (TUT) supported by the state government,' he told The Star in an interview. 'Other efforts include the provision of cold room facilities and processing equipment, the development of seven new tuna-based products, and the establishment of the Tuna Product Excellence Centre in Labuan,' he said. Fahmi said the Fisheries Department is also facilitating links between vessel operators and downstream entrepreneurs to secure a steady tuna supply, while infrastructure upgrades at landing sites like Dermaga Dalam in Butterworth will strengthen the supply chain from sea to processing facilities. He said some of these tunas are temporarily kept in Butterworth before being exported to international markets. He said international trade missions have been used to promote investment opportunities in Penang's tuna sector globally. 'The strategic location of Penang near international maritime trade routes, combined with a robust logistics network through Penang Port and Penang International Airport, continue to bolster its appeal as a processing hub and attractive stopover point for foreign fishing vessels. 'The state's well-established food and packaging industries further complement the growth of tuna-related activities. 'This trend supports Malaysia's ambition to strengthen its role in the global seafood supply chain.' In addition to acting as a transit hub, Fahmi said tuna is also imported from countries like Japan to meet growing domestic demand. He said the imported fish is distributed for local consumption, especially in urban areas with a high demand for premium seafood. Fahmi said that although there is no precise data on the total number of jobs created within the tuna sector, it is clear that the industry is driving employment across fishing, processing, logistics and export services. He said local fishermen and operators have already seen tangible benefits, with tuna exports fetching significantly higher prices than domestic sales. He said there are also positive spillover effects in related sectors such as vessel repairs, fuel supply and marine services. 'Looking ahead, industry players expect this year to bring further expansion, driven by the recent issuance of 16 tuna vessel licences to Astana Conglomerate Sdn Bhd. 'This will boost Malaysia's tuna harvesting capacity and generate more economic activities.' Fahmi added that in recent years, the export values of tuna have reflected the industry's volatility and recovery efforts.
