PENANG TUNA LANDING INDUSTRY SURGES SHARPLY IN 2024 - EXCO

GEORGE TOWN, May 21 (Bernama) -- The tuna landing industry in Penang is experiencing a significant upward trend and is poised to become a major hub for landing and processing tuna, catering not only to domestic but also international markets.

State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said Penang recorded a total tuna landing of 431,000 kilogrammes (kg) last year, with an estimated value of RM7.76 million, marking a significant increase from 177,000 kg worth RM3.19 million in 2023.

He added that the Penang government would continue to strengthen facilities, infrastructure, logistics, and provide more comprehensive support services to further boost the industry’s growth as part of a long-term strategy.

bootstrap slideshow

“The state government has considered several sites to establish a new tuna landing port; however, there are many constraints related to land ownership and the suitability of water levels for tuna vessels to dock,” he added.

He said this when debating the motion of thanks for Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri’s speech at today’s State Legislative Assembly sitting here.

Fahmi said the effort is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s economic and social growth through the creation of new job opportunities and downstream industries, such as high-tech tuna processing centres capable of producing premium quality seafood products for the global market.

bootstrap slideshow

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 from both within Malaysia and abroad.

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 then re-export tuna to markets in Taiwan and Japan.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said the fisheries sector’s achievements continue to reflect positive growth, as shown by the increase in total marine product landings for 2024, reaching 39,231 metric tonnes, up from 38,226 metric 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