Fish diseases in Malaysia: Status and problems
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Abstract
Aquaculture is still at an early stage of development in Malaysia; however, it has expanded quite rapidly over the past decade or so. Under the National Agriculture Policy, aquaculture development has been given high priority and entrepreneurs are given various incentives and support services.
The technologies of various aquaculture systems in Malaysia are already well developed. Many farms adopt intensive culture system and where inadequate fish seed is a constraint, importation from neighboring countries supports culture. It is in the intensive culture system, both in the hatchery and grow-out phases, that diseases often occur. Diseases have resulted in significant economic loss to fish and shrimp farmers.
The study of fish parasites has been carried out for sometime but it dealt mainly with taxonomy. The systematic study of fish disease and its documentation are comparatively new. At present, three institutions are involved in fish disease research: Fisheries Research Institute under the Department of Fisheries, Agriculture University of Malaysia, and Science University of Malaysia.
Suggested Citation
Sayuthi, S. (1993). Fish diseases in Malaysia: Status and problems. In C. T. Villegas, M. T. Castaños, & R. B. Lacierda (Eds.), Proceedings of the Aquaculture Workshop for SEAFDEC/AQD Training Alumni, 8-11 September 1992, Iloilo, Philippines (pp. 57-61). Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.
Type
Conference paperISBN
9718511253Related items
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Aquaculture development in Malaysia
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Recent developments in aquaculture in Japan
(Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 1995)Aquaculture production in Japan in 1993 was 1,351,000 tons, 15.6% of the total fisheries production. About 93.6% came from mariculture and 6.4% from freshwater aquaculture. The per cent contribution of aquaculture to total production has increased in recent years but partly because marine fisheries,especially of sardine and pollack, have decreased. Aquaculture has reached a plateau, and decreased slightly between 1992 and 1993. Diverse marine and freshwater species are cultured in Japan — various fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, seaweeds, sea squirt, sea urchin, and others. Research and development in mariculture focus on finding substitutes for animal protein in feeds, improvement of fish quality, protection of the culture environment, use of offshore floating culture systems, and protection from diseases. Research in freshwater aquaculture has expanded to include recreational fishing, the propagation and preservation of endangered species, and the construction of fish ladders for salmonids and other migratory species. -
Aquaculture development in Thailand
(Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 1988)Aquaculture practised in Thailand is in the form of pond culture and cage culture in freshwater, brackishwater and coastal areas. The main species cultured include freshwater prawns, brackishwater shrimp, cockles, mussels, and various freshwater and marine finfishes. There is good potential for increased production from freshwater, brackishwater and marine aquaculture. However, the 1983 production of 145 000 mt represents only about 6% of Thailand's total fish production and production in this subsector has fluctuated widely. It will be several years before aquaculture production will contribute substantially to total production. Nonetheless, the culture of high value species of shrimp and fish could contribute significantly to export earnings during the next 5 to 10 years. Conducted primarily by government agencies, research and development are along the lines of increasing seed supply, establishing new culture techniques or improving older ones. The Department of Fisheries (DOF) together with some private companies have ventured into the development and testing of artificial diets for the various cultured species using a variety of indigenous feed stuffs. It is estimated that with adequate investments and appropriate support, aquaculture production will increase from 145 000 mt in 1983 to 378 000 mt in 1991, showing an annual increase of about 13% over this period. Major increases would come from bivalve mariculture (131 000 mt), brackishwater ponds (36 000 mt) freshwater ponds (46 000 mt) and brackishwater cage culture (20 000 mt).
