Awareness Program on Invasive Fish Species and MOH! Tangkap Ikan Baung Ekor Merah”Competition

The Awareness Program on Invasive Fish Species and the “Moh! Tangkap Baung Ekor Merah” (Let’s Catch the Red-Tailed Catfish) competition, organized by the Pahang State Fisheries Department, was held today at Pekan Riverfront, Pahang. This program is part of the Department’s ongoing initiatives to raise public awareness about the threat of invasive alien fish species to the country’s freshwater ecosystems. The official closing ceremony was officiated by YB Dato’ Mohd Sharim Haji Md Zain, State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Chini, and attended by the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia, YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain. According to Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Malaysia is home to over 449 native freshwater fish species, including kelah, temoleh, sebarau, and river catfish, which are ecologically and economically important. However, the presence of invasive alien species such as peacock bass, African catfish, red-tailed catfish, and sucker fish (commonly known as “ikan bandaraya”) is threatening this biodiversity. “These alien species are aggressive, reproduce rapidly, and can outcompete native species for food and habitat. Since 2022, the Department of Fisheries has carried out 17 invasive fish eradication activities, successfully removing more than 4.4 metric tonnes of these species from our waters,” he explained. This event also saw participation from local communities and anglers nationwide in activities aimed at capturing invasive species, particularly the red-tailed catfish (Hemibagrus wyckioides), a species originating from the Mekong River that is increasingly spreading in local rivers. During the same event, the Department also presented Matching Grant assistance worth RM331,400 under the Aquaculture Integration Development Program (PPIA) to three main participants from the Rizqi Cluster in Kampung Peramu, Pekan, as well as a total of RM66,000 in Inland Fishermen Cost of Living Allowance (ESHND) to 22 inland fishermen from the district. Also present at the program were Mr. Ruzaidi bin Mamat, Senior Director of Capture Fisheries Resources Division; Mr. Abdullah bin Jaafar, Senior Director of Fisheries Conservation and Protection Division; Mr. Roslan bin Abu Hasan, Director of Fisheries for the State of Pahang; and staff from the Pahang State Fisheries Office.

Launch Ceremony of The 2024 Agricultural Cencus Interim Report

YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia, attended the launch ceremony of the 2024 Agricultural Census Interim Report, which was officiated by YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), held at MAEPS, Serdang, Selangor. The 2024 Agricultural Census, conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), aims to obtain comprehensive baseline data for the agricultural sector. In the aquaculture sector, this involves the farming of fish, shrimp, shellfish, and seaweed in freshwater, brackish, and marine environments. The 2024 Agricultural Census reported a total production of 484.3 thousand metric tonnes of marine and freshwater fish, while the production of fish broodstock, fry, and ornamental fish amounted to 6.5 billion individuals. Also present at the event were YB Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security; YBhg. Datuk Seri Isham bin Ishak, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; and YBhg. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Bin Mahidin, Chief Statistician of Malaysia and Commissioner of the 2024 Agricultural Census.

🎓 13th Agricultural Convocation Ceremony 2025

A total of 784 graduates received their certificates and diplomas at the 2025 Agricultural Convocation Ceremony, which was officiated by YB Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) today. This convocation ceremony celebrates the 2024 trainees who completed their studies at the Agricultural TVET Training Institutes (ILTP) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM). In the fisheries subsector, 12 graduates successfully completed their Fisheries Certificate program at the Malaysian Fisheries Academy. During the event, Mr. Muhamad Ajmal bin Azri received the Director-General of Fisheries Award, presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Also in attendance were Ms. Yeo Moi Eim, Deputy Director-General of Fisheries (Management), and Ms. Shamila binti Zainol, Director of the Human Capital Development Division. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success!

Courtesy Visit By Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) To The Department Of Fisheries Malaysia

The Department Of Fisheries Malaysia received a courtesy visit from a delegation of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), led by YBrs. Associate Professor Dr. Seri Intan Mokhtar, Dean of the Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, at the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, Wisma Tani, today. The purpose of the visit was to discuss potential collaborative activities and a proposal to establish a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen strategic cooperation between both parties. This upcoming collaboration is expected to bring significant benefits to both institutions, especially in enhancing research and development (R&D) efforts that support the sustainable growth of Malaysia’s fisheries sector. Through the eventual signing of the MoU, the relationship between the Department Of Fisheries Malaysia and UMK is anticipated to foster greater synergy in facing future challenges, particularly in marine resource conservation and fisheries technology development. The discussion was chaired by YBrs. Ms. Yeo Moi Eim, Deputy Director-General (Management), and attended by Mr. Ruzaidi Bin Mamat, Senior Director of Capture Fisheries Resources Division; Ms. Shamila Binti Zainol, Director of Human Capital Development Division; as well as officers from the Fisheries Headquarters.

Handover Ceremony Of New High-Speed Patrol Boat For The Department Of Fisheries Malaysia

YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia, officiated the handover ceremony of a new 10-meter patrol boat for the Department of Fisheries Malaysia at the Resource Protection Base in Bandar Hilir, Melaka. The Department of Fisheries Malaysia remains committed to ensuring that marine park waters remain safe and free from illegal fishing activities. The handover of this latest enforcement boat to the Capture Fisheries Resources and Conservation & Protection Branch of the Melaka State Fisheries Office is a strategic step towards strengthening patrols, monitoring, and control of fishing activities within the Melaka Marine Park. Following the ceremony, the Director-General visited the Pulau Besar Melaka Information Centre and was briefed by YBrs. En Hairulzamani bin Othman, Senior Manager of Industrial Planning at the Melaka Corporation, regarding the island’s tourism industry and potential collaboration opportunities between the Department of Fisheries Malaysia and the Melaka Corporation. Also in attendance were YBrs. En Abdullah bin Jaafar, Senior Director of the Fisheries Conservation and Protection Division; YBrs. En. Nawar bin A. Karim, Head of the Capture Fisheries Resources and Conservation & Protection Branch of the Melaka State Fisheries Office; along with staff from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

Department of Fisheries Malaysia Appreciation Ceremony 2025

YBhg. Datuk Seri Isham bin Ishak, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, officiated the Department of Fisheries Malaysia Appreciation Ceremony 2025 at Sama-Sama KLIA Hotel, Sepang. The ceremony was held to celebrate the achievements of 187 recipients of the 2024 Excellent Service Award (APC) for their dedication in carrying out their entrusted duties, as well as 51 retirees and soon-to-be retirees of 2025 who have devoted their service and contributions to the department throughout their tenure. Also present at the ceremony were YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia; YBrs. Dr. Azhar bin Hamzah, Senior Director of the Fisheries Research Institute; along with division directors and State Fisheries Directors. Heartiest congratulations to the APC recipients and best wishes for a happy retirement to those who have retired or are retiring this year.

Courtesy Visit by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA) to the Department of Fisheries Malaysia

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia received a courtesy visit today from a delegation of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), led by YBhg. Dato’ Mohamed Suffian Awang, Chairman of MIMA, at the Department’s headquarters in Wisma Tani. The visit aimed to gather information related to the current fisheries scenario in Malaysia. Among the matters discussed were fisheries resource management, marine sustainability, current issues affecting fishing communities and vessel owners, as well as food security. The discussion was chaired by YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of Fisheries, and was also attended by Dr. Azhar Bin Hamzah, Senior Director of the Fisheries Research Institute, En. Ruzaidi Bin Mamat, Senior Director of Capture Fisheries Resources Division, along with senior officers from the Department’s headquarters.

Turtle Hatchling Program

YBhg. Datuk Seri Isham bin Ishak, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, officiated the release of 250 green turtle hatchlings at Pantai Pasir Panjang, Redang Island. This program is part of the ongoing efforts by the Terengganu State Fisheries Department to conserve endangered turtle species in Malaysia. It aims not only to restore turtle populations in national waters but also to raise public awareness on the importance of protecting endangered species and the need to safeguard the environment. Also present at the event were YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries Malaysia; Encik Pang Anak Nyukang, Terengganu State Fisheries Director; as well as officers from the state and headquarters fisheries departments.

NAFEC 2025: Agro-Technology as the Driver of National Food Production

YB Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, officiated the opening ceremony of the National Agricultural and Food Engineering Convention (NAFEC) 2025, organized by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) in collaboration with the Malaysian Society of Agricultural and Food Engineers (MSAE). The event took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Putrajaya. In his speech, he emphasized the urgent need to transform the agriculture and agri-food sectors holistically by adopting modern and smart technologies such as automation, mechanization, the Internet of Things (IoT), and biotechnology to boost productivity and competitiveness. With the theme “Agro-Technology as the Driver of National Food Production”, the convention brought together over 180 industry players, researchers, policymakers, and academics to discuss the direction of technology and innovation in ensuring a sustainable and resilient national food security system. The event served as a strategic platform to strengthen collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and higher education institutions in advancing agricultural and food engineering. Also present were YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain, Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia; Puan Yeo Moi Eim, Deputy Director-General of Fisheries (Management); Prof. Ts. Dr. Rosnah binti Shamsudin, President of MSAE; and staff from the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

Working Visit by the Director-General of Fisheries Malaysia to Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort

YBhg. Dato’ Haji Adnan bin Hussain conducted a working visit to Borneo Empurau Farm & Resort — a nature-themed aquaculture and agro-tourism center located in Serian. Welcomed by the owners, YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Yong Fook Heng & YBhg. Datin Alice, the visit included:🐟 Empurau fish aquaponics system🐾 Interactive mini zoo Established in 2015, Borneo Empurau Farm is now recognized as a producer of high-quality empurau fry, certified with MyGAP and HACCP, and is a key supplier to restaurants across Sarawak. Also present were YBrs. En. Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Wahab, Senior Director of the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department, along with officers from the headquarters and state offices.