PENANG TO LAUNCH PILOT PROJECT FOR HDPE MARINE CIRCULAR CAGES

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- The Penang State Government is set to launch a pilot project for High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) marine circular cages, expected to boost sustainable growth and create high-impact opportunities in the marine aquaculture sector.

Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the initiative is an alternative to the state’s existing aquaculture systems, aimed at enhancing the industry’s resilience to climate change and space limitations.

“This project, which is expected to be one of the high-impact projects in Penang’s aquaculture sector, will be applied for under the Agri-Food Empowerment Programme through strategic collaboration between the state government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM),” he told Bernama today.

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Fahmi said the proposed marine circular cage has a diameter of 19 metres and is made of durable HDPE, with each cage capable of producing up to 20 metric tonnes of aquaculture yield per farming cycle.

He added that high-value fish species suitable for this system are golden pompano, sea bass, snapper, and red snapper, alongside other commercial species.

“The main advantage of HDPE marine circular cage technology is its resistance to extreme weather such as storms and hurricanes, while the circular design allows fish to move more naturally, resembling their original habitat,” he said.

He noted that the project is also suitable for wider open-sea areas, increasing production capacity without putting pressure on existing farming zones.

According to him, the initiative is expected to strengthen the state’s position in seafood production and contribute significantly to efforts to enhance food security at both state and national levels.

Fahmi said the initiative also reflects the state government’s proactive approach in adopting modern technology that is more resilient, higher in capacity, and aligned with the needs of a sustainable aquaculture industry, providing long-term benefits to operators and the state economy.

He added that Penang, as one of the leading producers of marine aquaculture in Peninsular Malaysia, has strong potential to lead in the use of this technology.

“The state government, together with the Penang Fisheries Department, will continue supporting the aquaculture industry through modern, resilient, high-capacity, and environmentally friendly technology.

“This is to ensure a stable food supply, increase operators’ income, and drive sustainable growth in the state’s agri-food sector,” he said.

Fahmi added that various initiatives have already been implemented to ensure the aquaculture industry remains stable, resilient, and continues to develop sustainably.

-- BERNAMA