Cage culture in Malaysia: an overview

The cage culture industry is a relatively recent development in Malaysia with large scale farming in marine waters taking off only in the 1980s and in inland waters in the 1990s. In 1997, total production from cage farms amounted to 7,314 tons or 8% of the total aquaculture production. However, cage farm output amounted to US$ 29 million or 18% of the total aquaculture value. Production was oriented largely towards production of high valued finfish for the live trade. In 1997, there were 58,500 marine cages in the country with a total area of 680,893 sq. m. Production amounted to 5,621 tons valued at US$ 26.4 million. Unit production from marine cage farms averaged about 8.5 kg/sq.m. The average wholesale price of caged farmed marine finfish in 1997 was US$4,696/ton. The main finfish reared is the sea bass (Lates calcarifer), which in 1997 accounted for 50% of the total finfish production and 35% of wholesale value. Other fishes reared include the groupers (Epinephelus sp.) and mangrove jacks (Lutjanus spp.) Though groupers account for only 14% of the finfish production, they accounted for 28% of the total value. The snappers (mangrove and red snappers) and tilapia which accounted for just 5% of the total cage culture output in 1992, accounted for nearly 50% in 1997. Major constraints include seed supply, congestion of existing sites and lack of new sites for expansion. In inland waters, the number of units rose to 200% over 1992-1997, from 2,152 to 6,516 units. As with marine cage culture, the emphasis is on the production of live fish for the restaurant market. However, the value of the freshwater fish output (average wholesale value US$1,426/ton) is generally lower than that of cage farmed marine fish. Production increased to 250% from 484 tons in 1992 to 1,693 tons in 1997, while its contribution to overall freshwater fish production increased from 3% in 1992 to 5% over the same period. Unit production rates ranged from 18-23kg/sq.m. The main species cultured include the tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), sultan fish (Leptobarbus hoevenii), mystid catfish (Mystus nemerus) and striped catfish (Pangasius sutchii). Smaller quantities of Javanese carp (Barbodes gonionotus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were also produced. The future for cage development in Malaysia is promising, especially for freshwater cage culture. There are over 206,000 ha of reservoir area in the country suitable for inland cage culture. However, the market for freshwater fish is more limited. On the other hand, the scenario facing marine cage culture appears to be more limited. Though markets are not constraining, the limited resource base, disease, feeds and seed supply are serious impediments to the continued growth of marine cage farming