12-05-2025
Firm's bid to restore mangroves
Published on: Monday, May 12, 2025
Published on: Mon, May 12, 2025 Text Size: Some of the participants at the event. TAWAU: A total of 300 mangrove saplings were planted at Sankina Aquaculture Sdn Bhd's shrimp farm in Apas Parit under a joint environmental initiative to restore coastal ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. The programme involved the planting of 200 mangrove saplings of bakau api-api (Avicennia alba) sourced from nearby mangrove areas and 100 mangrove saplings of bakau minyak (Rhizophora apiculata) donated by Tawau District Forestry Office aiming to restore coastal ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. This effort builds upon Sankina's ongoing environmental initiatives, including a similar programme in 2023 in collaboration with Politeknik Sandakan and WWF-Malaysia, where 150 mangrove saplings were planted to promote awareness of mangrove conservation among students and the local community. The programme is a collaborative initiative between Sankina Aquaculture Sdn Bhd and Nichirei Fresh Inc, a core subsidiary of the Nichirei Group, which stands at the forefront of Japan's premium food industry. Established in 2005, the company has become a trusted leader in delivering freshness, safety, and culinary excellence across Japan and beyond. Nichirei Fresh Inc demonstrates a robust commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly in preserving and restoring vital mangrove ecosystems integral to the health of coastal environments and the seafood industry including the Inochi-no-Mori Project, a collaborative mangrove reforestation initiative in Kalimantan, Indonesia, aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts of shrimp farming and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices since 2006. The Mangrove Tree Planting initiative also received collaboration and support from Seafood Solutions PLT, the Tawau District Forestry Office, the Tawau District Fisheries Office, and WWF-Malaysia. The Mangrove Tree Planting programme is aligned with Sankina Aquaculture's core mission to foster responsible aquaculture practices while actively preserving and restoring natural ecosystems. Sankina Aquaculture Sdn Bhd extended its sincere gratitude to Nichirei Fresh Inc, Tawau District Forestry Office and WWF-Malaysia for their generous sponsorship and unwavering support towards the success of the mangrove planting programme. Sankina Aquaculture's journey toward sustainability began in 2011, culminating in 2023 when it became the first shrimp farm in Malaysia to receive ASC certification. The achievement was the result of implementing the Aquaculture Improvement Project (AIP) in partnership with WWF-Malaysia, focusing on mangrove restoration, wastewater management, and worker welfare. Managing Director Jenny Ou expressed pride in the company's accomplishments, stating, 'Achieving ASC certification and leading environmental initiatives like today's mangrove planting reflect our dedication to responsible aquaculture practices and environmental conservation. Present at the event were Nichirei Fresh Inc representatives Motohiro Kiuchi and Ryunosuke Hagiwara, Seafood Solutions PLT's Peter Choo, Tawau District Forestry Officer Kee Nooridayu Mohd Ayub, Tawau District Fisheries Office representative Saifuddin Hj. Husin, and WWF-Malaysia Aquaculture Improvement Officer Chor Wei Kang. The Mangrove Tree Planting Programme not only contributes to environmental restoration but also serves as a model for sustainable practices in the aquaculture industry, aligning with global efforts to balance economic growth with ecological responsibility. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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