PASIR PUTEH: Kelantan akan bekerjasama dengan Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan untuk mewujudkan pusat pelupusan sampah yang lebih sempurna bagi mengatasi masalah pencemaran bahan sisa toksik.
Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Perumahan dan Kesihatan Negeri, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan berkata Kelantan akan mengguna pakai garis panduan yang dikeluarkan oleh kementerian berkenaan dengan mengubahsuai sedikit pembinaan pusat itu mengikut keperluan suasana tempat, kos dan kawasan.
"Kerajaan negeri sedang menyediakan satu pelan untuk buat pusat pelupusan sampah secara kelompok bukan satu majlis daerah, satu pusat pelupusan," katanya kepada pemberita pada majlis Pemilihan Bakal Calon Bagi Hadapi Pilihan raya Ke-12 di sini malam tadi.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas bantahan penduduk di Taman Seri Gedombak di sini yang tidak tahan dengan bau busuk Pusat Pelupusan Sampah di Bukit Gedombak kira-kira 500 meter dari rumah kediaman mereka pada Ogos lalu.
Takiyuddin berkata pelan mengenainya sedang disiapkan dan Majlis Perbandaran Kota Baharu (MPKB), Majlis Daerah ketereh (MDK) serta Majlis Daerah Bachok (MDB) dicadangkan akan diwujudkan sebuah pusat pelupusan sampah.
Mengenai bantahan penduduk Taman Seri Gedombak, Takiyuddin berkata kerajaan sedar mengenainya dan sedang meneliti tindakan lanjut bagi mengatasinya.
Beliau berkata untuk memindahkan pusat itu ke kawasan lain yang lebih sesuai, kerajaan negeri tidak dapat melakukannya dalam tempoh terdekat, kerana ia memerlukan perbelanjaan yang besar.
Sambil mengakui pusat itu mengancam bau busuk kepada penduduk yang tinggal berdekatan, Takiyuddin berkata ia juga mengandungi bahan pencemaran sisa toksik yang turut mengancam hidupan lain kerana pusat itu telah lama beroperasi. BERNAMA
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Pelupusan sampah lebih sempurna di Kelantan, atasi pencemaran toksik
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Iran leader meets Latin America leftists
CARACAS, Venezuela - Iran's president opened his nation's wallet to Bolivia on Thursday and then visited Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, in a post-U.N. trip to boost ties with Latin American leftists who are increasingly embracing Iran as a counterweight to U.S. influence.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged to invest $1 billion in Bolivia over the next five years to help the poor Andean nation tap its vast natural gas reserves, extract minerals, generate more electricity and fund agricultural and construction projects.
Bolivian President Evo Morales, who joins Chavez as one of Iran's key allies, called Ahmadinejad's visit historic. The two nations established diplomatic relations for the first time, and Morales pledged they "will work together from this day on, for our people, for life and for humanity."
Arriving late Thursday for a brief visit in Venezuela, Ahmadinejad was greeted warmly by Chavez on a red carpet rolled out in front of the presidential palace.
Chavez embraced the Iranian leader, calling him "one of the greatest anti-imperialist fighters" and "one of the great fighters for true peace."
In his speech to the U.N. General Assembly this week, Ahmadinejad rebuked "arrogant powers" seeking to curb Iran's nuclear program. Chavez also strongly defends Iran's nuclear research, insisting it is for peaceful energy uses despite U.S. charges it is aimed at pursuing nuclear weapons.
Morales brushed off concerns about close ties to a country that Washington says is a sponsor of terrorism, declaring that the "international community can rest assured that Bolivia's foreign policy is dedicated to peace with equality and social justice."
Ahmadinejad's trip underscored his growing ties to Latin American nations, including Nicaragua and Ecuador, even as the United States tries to isolate him internationally.
"It's a connection that is growing stronger all the time," said Alberto Garrido, a Venezuelan writer and political analyst. "It's Iran's answer to the United States on its own home turf. The United States is in the Middle East, so Iran is in Latin America."
The closer ties are viewed with alarm by the opposition in Venezuela and Bolivia, and by Washington. U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, a Florida Republican, said they remind him "of the relationship that Fidel Castro had with Russia." He urged Washington to reach out more to a region analysts say it has largely ignored since 9-11.
Toward that aim, a bipartisan bill is being introduced in the U.S. Congress on Friday that would establish a 10-year, $2.5 billion program aimed at reducing poverty and expanding the middle class in Latin America. It would require recipient countries to contribute and encourage matching funds from businesses and non-governmental organizations.
The program would bring more stability in the long run and help the United States "re-establish leadership in the hemisphere" by increasing development assistance by more than a third, said bill co-sponsor Sen. Bob Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat.
Chavez's government, for its part, has promised more than $8.8 billion in aid, financing and energy funding to the region this year.
Relations between Caracas and Tehran, meanwhile, have grown very close. Since 2001, Iran and Venezuela have signed trade agreements worth more than $20 billion in potential investment, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA.
They have teamed up to begin producing cars, tractors and plastic goods, and signed an agreement to help Venezuela build public housing. Iran Air began flights between Tehran and Caracas, with a stopover in Syria, earlier this year.
Venezuelan Jewish leaders objected to the presence of Ahmadinejad, who has called for the end of Israel and questioned the history of the Holocaust.
"We raise our voice to condemn these statements by the Iranian leader which incite hatred, becoming a threat to world peace," the Venezuelan Confederation of Israeli Associations said in a statement. The country is home to a large Jewish population, including Holocaust survivors.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa also wants closer ties with Tehran. President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua last month accepted Iranian pledges for 10,000 houses, 4,000 tractors, milk-processing plants, piers and a farm equipment assembly plant. In exchange, Nicaragua agreed to send coffee, meat and bananas to Iran.
No need for dissection as see-through frogs jump in
Thu Sep 27, 2:54 PM ET
TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese researchers have succeeded in producing see-through frogs, letting them observe organs, blood vessels and eggs under the skin without performing dissections.
"You can see through the skin how organs grow, how cancer starts and develops," said the lead researcher Masayuki Sumida, professor at the Institute for Amphibian Biology of state-run Hiroshima University.
"You can watch organs of the same frog over its entire life as you don't have to dissect it. The researcher can also observe how toxins affect bones, livers and other organs at lower costs," he told AFP.
Dissections have become increasingly controversial in much of the world, particularly in schools where animal rights activists have pressed for humane alternatives such as using computer simulations.
Sumida said his team, which announced the research last week at an academic conference, had created the first transparent four-legged creature, although some small fish are also see-through.
The researchers produced the creature from rare mutants of the Japanese brown frog, or Rena japonica, whose backs are usually ochre or brown.
Two kinds of recessive genes have been known to cause the frog to be pale.
Sumida's team crossed two frogs with recessive genes through artificial insemination and the offspring looked normal due to the presence of more powerful genes. But crossing the offspring led to a frog whose skin is transparent from the tadpole stage.
"You can see dramatic changes of organs when tadpoles mutate into frogs," said Sumida, whose team is seeking a patent.
Such frogs could theoretically exist in the wild but it is "virtually impossible" they would naturally inherit so many recessive genes, Sumida said.
The transparent frogs can also reproduce, with their offspring inheriting their parents' traits, but their grandchildren die shortly after birth.
"As they have two sets of recessive genes, something wrong must kick in and kill them," Sumida said.
While the researchers relied on artificial insemination, they said that genetic engineering could also produce transparent and even illuminating frogs.
Sumida said researchers could also inject into the transparent frogs an illuminating protein attached to a gene, which would light up the gene once it manifests -- for example, showing at what stage cancer starts.
Sumida said it would be unrealistic to apply the same method to mammals such as mice as their skin structure is different.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Projek rumah kos rendah terbiar
Pembinaan kediaman di Jalan Joh didakwa gagal capai matlamat bantu golongan miskin
MACHANG: Penduduk sekitar Labok di sini, kecewa kerana pembinaan rumah kos rendah di Jalan Joh oleh Kerajaan Pas Kelantan, gagal mencapai matlamat untuk memberi kemudahan rumah kepada golongan berpendapatan rendah.
Pada 1992, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Perumahan dan Alam Sekitar Negeri ketika itu, Datuk Halim Mohamed, dilaporkan mengumumkan 64 unit rumah akan dibina di situ.
Turut terbabit dalam projek itu ialah pembinaan 121 unit rumah murah di Tanjung Kuala, Tumpat; 200 unit di Bukit Pak Mud, Jeli dan 450 unit di Kampung Apam, Pasir Mas.
Ketika itu, semua rumah terbabit dilaporkan akan dijual pada harga RM10,000 seunit dan pembeli boleh mengubah suai untuk membesarkan sendiri rumah itu mengikut keluasan kawasan yang ada.
Kelayakan membeli rumah pula adalah bagi rakyat tempatan berpendapatan tidak lebih RM500 sebulan dengan kerajaan negeri dikatakan sedia membiayai pinjaman tanpa dikenakan faedah.
Namun, tinjauan Berita Harian ke tapak projek di Jalan Joh itu mendapati hanya sekitar 10 rumah didiami penghuni, manakala selebihnya dirobohkan kerana ketiadaan pembeli.
Seorang penduduk, Muhammad Yaakob, 55, berkata beliau adalah di antara pemohon yang diterima memiliki rumah itu tetapi tidak meneruskan hajat membeli rumah disebabkan faktor tertentu.
"Kebanyakan pemohon terdiri penoreh getah atau pekerja estet sekitar Labok terpaksa membatalkan hasrat memiliki rumah itu kerana harganya lebih mahal daripada yang dijanjikan.
"Sudahlah harganya meningkat kepada RM16,000 seunit, kualiti kayu pula teruk sama seperti kayu lama. Kami menolaknya kerana tidak mampu membayar deposit, selain kerana kualiti rumah tidak sepadan dengan harganya ketika itu.
"Akhirnya, hanya beberapa unit saja terjual, manakala rumah selebihnya dirombak oleh wakil rakyat untuk membina pondok di kawasan lain," katanya.
Bekas Ketua Unit Peti Undi S46 Kampung Joh, Mohd Yiden Mat, 64, pula berkata, seingat beliau projek itu diusahakan bekas Adun Pulai Chondong, Kapten (B) Mohd Noor Ahmad, khusus untuk penempatan mangsa banjir.
"Ramai di antara pemohon adalah penduduk Kampung Joh, Kubang Belut dan Pulau Raya yang rumah mereka sering ditenggelami air. Adun Pulai Chondong ketika itu menyatakan harga seunit rumah ialah RM10,000 atau RM40 sebulan.
"Bagaimanapun, selepas beliau meninggal dunia, harga itu meningkat menjadi RM16,000 jika dibayar tunai. Bayaran secara ansuran melalui pinjaman bank pula mencecah RM30,000 atau hampir RM200 sebulan.
"Disebabkan penduduk tidak mampu membayarnya, rumah itu terbiar dan dirobohkan beberapa tahun lalu oleh Adun baru. Kayunya diguna membina pondok yang kami pun tidak pasti untuk tujuan apa," katanya.
Kamarudin Abdul Kadir, 57, pula berkata kegagalan projek itu menunjukkan Kerajaan Pas Kelantan tidak mempunyai komitmen membantu golongan miskin memiliki rumah sendiri.
"Masalah utama projek ini ialah rumah disediakan tidak memenuhi keperluan hidup berkeluarga kerana ia hanya mempunyai satu bilik saja manakala dapurnya terletak di bawah serta tiada bilik air.
"Saya kesal kerana ada desas-desus tapak projek itu akan diserahkan kepada pemaju perumahan untuk tujuan komersial. Jika benar, ia secara tidak langsung merampas hak golongan miskin," katanya.
Seorang pemilik rumah di situ, Mohd Zaid Yaakob, 38, berkata beliau dan keluarganya menetap di situ sejak tiga tahun lalu selepas membayar tunai RM16,000.
“Dulu memang banyak rumah kecil begini di sini kerana kerajaan negeri waktu itu bercadang memberinya kepada golongan miskin. Bagaimanapun, ramai tidak mampu membayarnya menyebabkan rumah itu terbiar.
"Harga tiap seunit rumah memang sama iaitu RM16,000. Saiz 10 rumah yang ada di kawasan ini sekarang berbeza kerana saiz tapaknya luas, jadi sesetengah pemilik memperbesarkan sendiri rumah mereka.
"Waktu mula tinggal di sini, semua rumah ini masih ada, tetapi selepas itu ia dirombak untuk dibuat projek perumahan lain, tapi hingga kini belum berjalan walaupun beberapa usahawan Cina pernah melawat," katanya.
Sementara itu, Penolong Setiausaha Kerajaan Kelantan (Perumahan), Rosnazli Mohd Amin, berkata setahu beliau projek itu sudah lama berjalan dan jika ada masalah sudah tentu ia dihebohkan sebelum ini.
"Bagaimanapun, saya akan membuat siasatan segera ke kawasan perumahan di Jalan Joh itu bagi mengenal pasti jika wujud sebarang masalah dalam pelaksanaannya," katanya.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
MPKB BRI atasi kesesakan lalu lintas di Cabang Tiga
| Salmah Mat Husain Thu | Sep 20, 07 | 12:31:53 pm MYT | |
PENGKALAN CHEPA, 20 Sept (Hrkh) – Masalah kesesakan lalu lintas di Cabang Tiga dekat sini sejak sekian lama kini berjaya diatasi apabila tapak pasar tani, pasar malam dan bazar Ramadan dipindahkan ke Taman Bendahara. Pengarah Perhubungan Awam Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu Bandar Raya Islam (MPKB-BRI), Azman Mohd Daham berkata, tapak lama di Cabang Tiga sudah beroperasi hampir 30 tahun lalu. Bagaimanapun katanya, disebabkan masalah kesesakan lalu lintas, MPKB BRI terpaksa memindahkan ke tapak yang lebih sesuai kerana kedudukannya juga tidak jauh dari tapak asal. Ekoran pemindahan tapak perniagaan itu ke Taman Bendahara ada peniaga melahirkan rasa tidak puas hati. Azman berkata, pemindahan ke tapak baru perlu dilakukan setelah MPKB BRI menerima banyak aduan daripada orang ramai dan polis mengenai kesesakan lalu lintas yang berlaku. Tapak pasar tani, pasar malam dan bazaar Ramadan di Taman Bendahara beroperasi sejak sebulan lalu. “Kebetulan Cabang Tiga Pengkalan Chepa merupakan laluan utama dari Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra menuju bandar Kota Bharu, jadi sekiranya berlaku kesesakan lalu lintas ia memberi kesan kepada pelbagai pihak. “Kalau dulu mungkin ia tidak menjadi masalah, tetapi sekarang kenderaan semakin bertambah, orang juga semakin ramai. Jadi atas sebab itulah kita mengambil keputusan untuk memindahkan ke Taman Bendahara,” katanya. Kata beliau juga lokasi baru lebih sesuai kerana mempunyai tempat letak kenderaan yang lebih banyak, di samping terdapat premis perniagaan lain dan kampus sementara Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). |
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Kelantan confirms new RM1 parking fee in Kota Baru
By IAN MCINTYRE
KOTA BARU: The state government has now confirmed that there is an increase in car parking charges at the 2,000 municipality lots, making it RM1 per hour, which is among the highest in the country.
After weeks of silence after the state MCA raised the matter two weeks ago, state Local Government committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan has now confirmed that the state executive councillors approved a 20 sen per hour hike. According to him, the last time the Kota Baru Municipal Council (MPKB) parking charges were reviewed was 10 years back.
He denied that there was no prior announcement made to the increase, saying MPKB issued notices last month over the hike.
"For Kelantan, the increase is reasonable and we expect other municipalities to also increase as we are under pressure to generate more income so services to ratepayers can be improved," he said.
MPKB wanted a higher quantum of increase but the state decided to allow a minimal hike which also acts as a deterrent for motorists who hog parking lots for an unreasonable period.
Takiyuddin said the move was to encourage motorists to plan out their programme when driving around the state capital.
Kelantan MCA did a survey with other municipalities in the peninsula and found that the Kelantan rate of RM1 per hour was among the highest, prompting the MCA to appeal to MPKB to reconsider the new parking fee as the prices of many other goods and services have risen due to the fuel hike.
With a new site for public transport expected to be ready next year along the Sungai Kelantan mega riverside development project, Takiyuddin said proper routing would be done to accommodate those who need to patronise commercial, trade and tourism centres in the capital.
Takiyuddin said similar to other states, Kelantan encourages ratepayers to use the public transport and to alleviate the limited parking bays available in the town centre.
Orang ramai diminta bersama kerajaan jaga kesucian Ramadan
Kota Bharu, 18 September - Orang ramai diminta memberi kerjasama kepada pentadbiran Kota Bharu Banda Raya Islam dalam memastikan kesucian Ramadan tepeliharan daripada unsur-unsur kurang sihat seperti tidak berpuasa dan peniaga yang engkar.Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Perumahan dan Kesihatan, Dato' Haji Takiyuddin Haji Hassan berkata Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu Bandar Raya Islam (MPKB-BRI) bekerjasama penuh dengan jabatan-jabatan kerajaan lain di peringkat negeri dan persekutuan bagi memastikan bulan Ramadan yang mulia benar-benar terpelihara.
Bagi tujuan itu beliau meminta orang ramai yang terserempak dengan mereka yang mengengkari kewajipan berpuasa supaya segera melaporkan kepada pihak MPKB-BRI supaya tindakan dapat diambil dengan segera.
Ditanya samaada MPKB-BRI mewujudkan pasukan pengintip ala Mat Skodeng beliau berkata tidak ada pasukan rasmi seperti itu diwujudkan tetapi mengakui mempunyai hubungan dengan pihak tertentu yang secara sukarela mengesan mereka yang tidak berpuasa di bandar ini.
"Mereka tidak akan membuat sebarang tindakan tetapi akan melaporkan kepada pihak MPKB-BRI dan Jabatan Agama bagi membolehkan pihak penguatkuasa yang sah segera bertin dak," kata beliau kepada sidang media selepas menyampaikan bantuan ihya Ramadan dan Manfaat Kifalah di Kediaman Rasmi Menteri Besar, JKR 10 di sini pagi ini.
Pada majlis itu imam-imam masjid dan surau di seluruh kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri Bunut Payong menerima sumbangan daripada Dato' Takiyuddin bagi program menghidupkan Ramadan di tempat masing-masing.
Turut menerima sumbangan ialah waris (wasi) kepada warga emas yang meninggal dunia
melalui skim Takaful Kifalah.Semasa menyampaikan ucapan pada majlis itu beliau mengingatkan semua pihak supaya menjadikan bulan Ramadan sebagai medan untuk mengutip sebanyak mungkin pengurniaan daripada Allah SWT.
Pihak kerajaan katanya telah menyediakan pelbagai skim kebajikan terutama di bulan Ramadan untuk memastikan semua rakyat dapat menjalani kehidupan dengan penuh kesejahteraan dan keberkatan.
Mereka yang bernasib baik dengan dilebihkan rezki oleh Allah SWT kata beliau perlu bersama-sama dengan kerajaan untuk menghulurkan bantuan kepada golongan yang kurang berkemampuan.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
12 persoalan besar di Batu Buruk belum terjawab
Banyak isu tinggal misteri
Untuk renungan dan bahan fikir bersama, berikut diperturunkan beberapa persoalan dan tandatanya tersebut:
1. Kerosakan harta awam dianggarkan RM500 ribu oleh pihak Majlis Perbandaran Kuala Terengganu (MPKT). Exco Datuk Rosol Wahid pula dalam kenyataan berasingan mendakwa nilai kerosakan itu mencecah RM1 juta (biasa lah tu, pemimpin BN memang selalu melebih-lebih dalam hal seumpama ini). Kerosakan itu didakwa dibuat “perusuh” yang dikaitkan dengan para penyokong PAS yang hadir malam itu.
Anehnya, segala kerosakan yang berlaku seperti papantanda jalan, lampu isyarat, pasu bunga dan lain-lain itu sebenarnya terletak di dalam zon yang dikawal polis. Sepanjang kekecohan memuncak, tidak ada orang awam dibenarkan memasuki kawasan jalan sepanjang 200 meter dari persimpangan lampu isyarat merentasi depan Kediaman Seri Iman hingga ke stesen minyak Esso di situ. Maka menjadi tanda tanya, siapa bertanggungjawab memecah dan merosakkan harta awam itu?
2. Puluhan buah motosikal dan kereta dilaporkan mengalami kerosakan teruk kesan pukulan benda tumpul (kayu atau batu). Gambar-gambar sebahagian kenderaan yang rosak itu turut disiarkan akhbar. Antara gambar itu menunjukkan lokasi motosikal yang rosak itu hanya beberapa depa dari sepasukan polis Unit Simpanan Persekutuan (FRU) sedang berkawal.
Apakah munasabah orang awam melakukannya dan dilihat sahaja oleh anggota FRU? Lagi pun, kenderaan yang rosak itu adalah milik orang awam, bukan milik anggota FRU atau polis. Sedangkan pertembungan malam itu antara polis dan orang awam. Apakah munasabah orang awam merosakkan kenderaan mereka sendiri? (Bunyinya macam tuduhan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tumbuk muka dia sendiri dululah!)
3. Ada orang awam menceritakan telah melihat sekumpulan anggota polis mengunjungi Pasar Besar Kedai Payang (pasar utama di tengah bandar Kuala Terengganu) beberapa hari sebelum kejadian. Mereka itu dikatakan telah memborong kesemua ‘bidas’ (lastik, orang Kedah sebut ‘terbir’, orang Putih kata ‘catapult’). Untuk apa lastik-lastik itu diborong polis?
4. Insiden bakar bendera negara turut dipertikaikan. Gambar disiarkan akhbar Berita Harian, 10 September menunjukkan seorang pemuda lengkap bertopi keledar sedang membakarnya di tengah jalanraya yang agak lengang. Berdasarkan gambar itu, dipercayai jurugambar yang merakamkan insiden itu berada tidak jauh dari si pembakar itu.
Mungkin jurugambar tersebut adalah orang paling wajar disoalsiasat, siapa sebenarnya pemuda itu? Apakah gambar tersiar itu satu-satunya gambar dirakamnya ketika itu, atau ada lagi gambar-gambar lain yang merakamkan imej lebih jelas mengenai pembakar bendera itu?
5. Lebih dipersoalkan banyak pihak, apakah pemuda itu sebahagian dari kumpulan pemuda yang datang untuk mendengar ceramah PAS atau dari kumpulan lain? Bajunya tidak menampakkan sebarang tanda basah atau berpeluh, menunjukkan dia belum begitu lama di situ, tidak sebagaimana yang lain.
6. Ada juga eyewitness mendakwa melihat seseorang dari dalam sebuah kereta menghulurkan bendera negara yang menjadi bahan bakar itu kepada pemuda tersebut dan menyuruhnya membakar. Jika benar begitu, bermakna bendera itu bukan disentap di situ ketika kekecohan berlaku, tetapi sengaja dibawa dari tempat lain oleh orang misteri yang berkereta itu.
7. Ada juga eyewitness menyaksikan kedatangan sekumpulan mat rempit sejurus selepas keadaan agak reda. Mereka ini memang menjadikan laluan yang terlibat dengan kekecohan itu sebagai track perlumbaan mereka saban malam. Tidak payah diberitahu, mereka ini memang menyimpan dendam dengan pasukan polis kerana sering mengganggu akvititi malam mereka.
Mereka ini dikatakan tumpang sekaki “mengamuk” dan melakukan kekacauan sebagai melepas geram terhadap pasukan polis. Apakah mustahil mereka ini turut terlibat membakar bendera, kon polis dan melakukan kerosakan-kerosakan lain itu?
8. Keengganan pihak Polis Daerah Kuala Terengganu mengeluarkan permit untuk perhimpunan malam itu turut dipertikaikan. Pertama, telah beberapa kali lokasi sama dijadikan pentas ceramah melibatkan nama-nama besar dalam pembangkang seperti Mohamad Sabu, Anwar dan Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang sendiri. Majlis-majlis tersebut berjalan lancar dan aman, tiada kekacauan atau gangguan keselamatan, selagimana tiada kacau ganggu pihak polis.
9. Pihak polis memberikan alasan tidak mengeluarkan permit ceramah kononnya kawasan perumahan itu didiami golongan elit, pegawai kerajaan dan orang ternama. Justeru sebarang majlis ceramah akan menghasilkan gangguan bunyi kepada penghuni taman itu.
Juga dibangkitkan soal gangguan kepada para pelancong yang menginap di chalet dan resort berdekatan. Sedangkan lokasi sama terletak hanya beberapa ratus meter dari pentas utama Pantai Batu Buruk. Di situ saban bulan (kekadang tu saban minggu), berbagai bentuk bunyi bising dikumandangkan, tidak kira siang mahu pun malam. Mengapa tidak ditimbulkan soal gangguan bunyi dari pesta hiburan itu?
10. Soal bantahan yang didakwa dari penduduk setempat juga tidak sukar difahami. Mana ada orang Umno yang suka ceramah PAS diadakan berdekatan rumah mereka? Jadi, jika diraikan setiap bantahan orang Umno, nescaya tidak akan ada peluang bagi PAS untuk menganjurkan majlisnya di kawasan-kawasan awam. Apakah polis tidak pernah mengeluarkan permit untuk majlis Umno/BN jika dibantah penduduk setempat dari kalangan PAS?
11. Tindakan FRU melepaskan gas pemedih mata tanpa mengira tempat juga amat dikesalkan. Ia dihalakan bukan sahaja ke arah orang ramai yang cuba disuraikan, tetapi turut disasarkan ke arah kedai makan yang sedang dipenuhi pelanggan. Kanak-kanak yang berada di dalam kedai itu, termasuk anak-anak pemilik kedai, turut menerima kesan gas tersebut.
Apakah aspek keselamatan orang awam yang tidak ada kena-mengena dengan kekecohan itu tidak diambil kira terlebih dahulu oleh polis? Apakah semata-mata atas alasan menyuraikan perhimpunan haram, polis dihalalkan bertindak apa cara sahaja?
12, Tindakan seorang anggota polis melepaskan ‘peluru hidup’ sehingga mencederaparahkan dua orang awam sangat dipertikaikan. Anggota polis itu mendakwa kononnya beliau diserang, lalu memaksanya melepaskan tembakan demi mempertahankan diri.
Apa pun alasan dan dakwaan yang cuba dikemukakan, rakyat tidak dapat menerima ia sebagai tindakbalas yang wajar. Lain lah kalau orang yang didakwanya menyerangnya itu juga bersenjata. Apatah lagi diambilkira sebab kenapa beliau “diserang” itu, ialah kerana orang ramai melihat beliau cuba melakukan provokasi di tengah-tengah hadirin.
Setakat ini, persoalan dan tandatanya disebutkan tadi masih menguasai perbualan umum dan sembang kedai kopi di Terengganu. Segala persoalan itu pada hakikatnya lebih banyak memberikan kesan negatif kepada parti pemerintah.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Biak kerapu kolam
Teknologi Hi-Q Eco Magic istimewa kerana pemilik boleh tentukan saiz, berat ikan
IKAN laut dalam diternak di daratan. Menerusi kaedah bioteknologi yang diperkenalkan Global Hi-Q (M) Sdn Bhd, nelayan kini tidak perlu lagi mengambil risiko menempuh badai dan ribut untuk ke laut menangkap ikan, sebaliknya hanya perlu menternak ikan berkenaan di kolam.
Teknologi dari Taiwan itu menggunakan gabungan semula jadi yang mampu menjimatkan kos dan tenaga manusia serta mengelakkan masalah pencemaran air, kini dilaksanakan di Teluk Dalam, Pulau Pangkor di kawasan tiga hektar.
Melalui formula itu, ikan laut diternak di dalam kolam yang dibina khas di atas daratan dengan menggunakan penapis khas, ‘Hi-Q Eco Magic’ yang lengkap dengan pelbagai keperluan pembiakan ikan dan pengawalan kandungan air.
Pusat ternakan itu menyediakan 100 kolam dengan keluasan setiap kolam antara 4X4 meter persegi dan 6X6 meter persegi.
Kolam berkeluasan 4x4 meter persegi boleh memuatkan 14,000 ekor anak ikan dan selepas ikan terbabit matang, ia akan dipindahkan ke kolam berukuran 6x6 meter persegi yang boleh memuatkan 3,000 ekor ikan.
Ikan yang diternak di kawasan itu ialah ikan kerapu yang mengambil masa selama 10 bulan untuk mencapai berat antara 600 hingga 800 gram seekor sebelum dieksport ke China dan Hong Kong dengan harga AS$16 sekilogram.
Pengerusi Global Hi-Q (M) Sdn Bhd, Mohd Nasir Mohd Rashid, berkata dengan menggunakan Hi-Q Eco Magic, air laut akan disaring daripada pelbagai sudut seperti mengukur kandungan piawaian air serta melakukan proses menyahtoksik terutama jika ada bahan kimia di dalam air bagi membolehkan air berkenaan menjadi bersih dan sesuai untuk kehidupan ikan.
"Di Taiwan, teknologi itu dikaji sejak 22 tahun lalu dan ia mempunyai potensi untuk berkembang dalam sektor ini.
“Oleh itu, Global Hi-Q menjalin kerjasama dengan sebuah syarikat di Taiwan bagi melaksanakan kaedah itu di sebuah kawasan di Pulau Pangkor, Perak.
"Melalui teknologi itu, nelayan tidak perlu mengambil risiko menempuh badai dan ribut untuk ke laut sebaliknya hanya perlu menternak ikan laut di dalam kolam yang disediakan," katanya.
Mohd Nasir berkata, antara kelebihan menggunakan teknologi itu ialah pengusaha tidak perlu menukar air sehingga enam bulan kerana bahan yang terkandung di dalam penapis dapat mengawal kadar ketumpatan (PH) air serta menyah bahan kimia berbahaya di dalam takungan berkenaan.
Katanya, penapis Hi-Q Eco Magic mengandungi lebih 70 bahan mineral semula jadi yang diperoleh dari dasar laut yang mempunyai pelbagai fungsi untuk merawat air serta pembentukan planton secara semula jadi.
"Bahan terbabit akan mewujudkan keseimbangan dan keserasian alam hingga membolehkan air berada dalam keadaan asal.
"Apa yang lebih penting, air di dalam kolam itu akan menjadi asli sama seperti air laut dan ini akan membantu pembesaran serta perkembangan ikan di dalam kolam.
"Melalui teknologi itu, pengusaha tidak perlu menggantikan air atau menggunakan alat sokongan lain kerana penapis serta kandungan mineral alat terbabit dapat menyediakan segala keperluan untuk tujuan penternakan," katanya.
Mohd Nasir berkata, alatan itu akan bertindak sebagai sistem saliran akuakultur secara ekologikal yang turut mengandungi formula khas ‘primex antibodi’ di samping turut menghasilkan plankton dan rumpai laut sebagai makanan ikan.
Malah, alatan itu turut menjadi pemangkin kepada pembentukan batu karang yang amat sesuai untuk digunakan di dalam akuarium sama ada di pejabat dan rumah.
Selain itu, alatan berkenaan dapat memproses air ternakan yang mengalami keracunan akibat kandungan sisa toksik yang berlebihan sekali gus mengurangkan risiko keracunan ikan.
Nasir berkata, Hi-Q Eco Magic terbukti berjaya di Taiwan dan China sehingga mewujudkan pemasaran global dengan permintaan yang tinggi daripada 70 negara termasuk Amerika Syarikat dan Jerman.
Beliau berkata, selain pemeliharaan ikan, peralatan terbabit juga boleh digunakan untuk ternakan tiram dan karangan laut.
Katanya, alatan terbabit juga mempunyai keistimewaan kerana pemilik boleh menentukan saiz dan berat ikan yang dipelihara.
Mohd Nasir berkata, langkah syarikatnya menceburi bidang terbabit adalah selaras dengan seruan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang ingin memajukan industri pertanian dan perikanan berkonsepkan bioteknologi di negara ini.
INFO: Projek Global Hi-Q di Pulau Pangkor
Jenis Ikan: Kerapu
Tempoh ternakan: 10 bulan
Berat ikan yang boleh dijual: 600 - 800 gram
Harga: AS$16 sekilogram
Eksport: Hong Kong dan China
Jumlah kolam ketika ini: 40 kolam
Bakal ditambah: 60 kolam (menerusi projek `contract farming' dengan nelayan dan belia Pulau Pangkor di bawah Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi
Jumlah ikan dalam satu kolam: 3,000 ekor
Saiz kolam: 6 x 6 meter
Lain-lain:
The status of grouper culture in Southeast Asia
Excerpt from:
Robert Pomeroy (1), Rene Agbayani, with Joebert Toledo, Ketut Sugama, Bejo Slamet and Tridjoko. 2002 (in press). The Status of Grouper Culture in Southeast Asia. Financial Feasibility Analysis for Grouper Culture Systems in the Philippines and Indonesia. Draft Chapter 6 in: Farming the Reef: A State-of-the-Art Review of Aquaculture of Coral Reef Organisms in Tropical Nearshore Environments. Robert Pomeroy, John Parks and Cristina Balboa (eds.) World Resources Institute, Washington DC.
1. Robert S. Pomeroy PhD, Senior Social Scientist, International Marinelife Alliance, c/o IMA Washington DC Office, 1630 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20009 USA. e-mail: rpomeroy@marine.org Tel: 202-518-2052
Full-cycle aquaculture (the use of hatchery-reared fingerlings) of many grouper species is becoming more common throughout Asia. Grouper are cultured at various scales in every country of Southeast Asia – Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. While currently making up only about 10–15 per cent of the total trade, there is an increasing supply of full-cycle, cultured fish. The most important source countries are Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand. Grouper culture is also ongoing in Australia and the People’s Republic of China, although the industry in these countries will not be discussed here.
A brief review of the status of the grouper aquaculture industry in each of the seven Southeast Asian countries is presented below.
Hong Kong
Grouper culture has been undertaken for over 30 years in Hong Kong. Groupers are cultured in floating cages in 26 designated aquaculture zones. The industry depends entirely on grow-out. The average farm size of rafts is about 250 square meters (Chan 2000). The colder winter water temperatures in Hong Kong restrict both the type of species to be cultured successfully, and the mortality and culture period of several species. Commonly cultured species include Epinephelus tauvina, E. lanceolatus, E. malabaricus, E. areolatus and E. bleekeri. A number of other fish species are also cultured.
There are no fry hatcheries in Hong Kong. Fry for culture were once provided from local capture but now almost all fry are imported from other countries in Southeast Asia. Traditionally, grouper were fed with trash fish supplied by purse seiners and trawlers. The use of trash fish was identified as one of the major sources of pollution around culture areas. In the early 1990s a moist pellet was developed by the government to replace the use of trash fish, and fish farmers are slowly adopting it.
In the early 1990s grouper production in Hong Kong was about 3000 t a year. In the last few years, production has dropped to 1000 t a year due to a number of production and environmental problems and stresses (Sadovy 2000). High levels of mortality exist from stress during the first few weeks or months after introduction of fry to the cages, and during water temperature changes, which occur twice a year, increasing in April/May and decreasing in November (Sadovy 2000). Differential growth rates of individuals lead to cannibalism. Poor water conditions and disease are also serious problems. Water quality in the culture zones is getting worse due to the high density of cages, build up of waste on the sea bottom, overfeeding using trash fish, algal blooms (including a recent red tide), and poor water flow. Viral infections and disease result both from infected imported fry and from poor water quality. Access to medication to treat diseases is limited in Hong Kong (Chan 2000).
Indonesia
Grouper culture is expanding in many areas of Indonesia. While there is no statistical data available on grouper culture in Indonesia, national aquaculture statistics show brackish water and cage culture growing at 8 and 16 per cent, respectively, during the 1990s. The primary areas for grouper grow-out culture in Indonesia are Aceh, north Sumatra (Nias and Sibilga), Riau Islands, Bangka Islands, Lampung, west Java, Karimunjawa Islands (central Java), Teluk Saleh (west Nusa Tenggara), south Sulawesi, north Sulawesi and southeast Sulawesi. Grouper culture is generally characterised in Indonesia by the use of wild-caught seed and use of trash fish for feed. There is limited use of hatchery-reared seed, although this is growing. Grouper are primarily grown-out in net cages. There is some limited pond grow-out culture, particularly for small size classes, but a general shortage of land for ponds has been identified (Sadovy 2000).
There has been a good deal of research on hatchery production of grouper. This has been stimulated by the development of a large number of milkfish hatcheries near the Gondol station and by increased interest from these private hatcheries in Bali and throughout Indonesia to produce grouper seed on a commercial basis. At the Gondol Research Institute for Mariculture on the north coast of Bali, the mass seed production of Cromileptes altivelis has been successful. Broodstock have been able to spawn naturally all year round, although the survival rates of larvae are low at the early stage. There are slow growth rate and disease problems at the grow-out stage. Some private hatcheries have succeeded in seed production, applying technologies learned from the Gondol station. In addition, humpback grouper seed has been provided from the station to many aquaculture operations in Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia and Southeast Asia for grow-out. The Gondol station has also succeeded in full-cycle culture of E. fuscoguttatus. The spawning period for this species in the hatchery has been found to be very short, only three to four days a month, and not all year round. Survival rates are low due to high levels of cannibalism, although survival rate and growth rate in cages is high. Many of the hatcheries in Bali culture several species of fish in addition to grouper such as sea bass, milkfish and humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus).
Research on a variety of species has also been undertaken at the Regional Brackishwater Aquaculture Development Center in Situbondo in eastern Java. At the Marine Finfish Production and Research Center (MAFPREC) in Besut, Terengganu, natural spawning of E. fuscoguttatus was achieved in 1995 in a 150-t tank. Research at MAFPREC continues to improve spawning and larval culture. Other research work has been carried out at the Research Institute for Coastal Fisheries in Sulawesi and the Mariculture Development Center at Lampung.
The Nature Conservancy has developed a full-cycle mariculture operation in the area of the Komodo National Park in western Flores. The project was originally started as an alternative enterprise for local fishers who were utilising destructive fishing practices. Fingerlings were obtained from the wild, but after a trial period it was decided to enter into full-cycle grouper culture. A number of species are being used as broodstock, including E. coioides, E. fuscoguttatus, Cromileptes altivelis, and Lates calcarifer. The first spawning of Cromileptes altivelis and E. fuscoguttatus occurred during the project in late 2000.
There are currently some problems with expansion of grouper culture in Indonesia. There is an oversupply of grouper seed available due to too many hatcheries being built. While the grow-out of grouper seems to provide considerable economic profit to small producers, the expansion of net cage grow-out operations are limited by high initial investment costs and lack of funds and credit. This oversupply of seed has led to a recent sharp decline in seed prices, which has caused hatcheries to stop producing seed. Thus, there is a need for improved market information for hatcheries on seed demand and on wholesale and retail prices and markets for grow-out operations. There is also a need for extension assistance to potential and existing small culturists, as many lack the technical skills to grow grouper. In some areas, water quality is emerging as a serious problem (Dr Ketut Sugama pers. comm. 2001). It is important to note that the Indonesian government has given aquaculture development a high priority for support.
Malaysia
There are over 2000 fish farmers involved in marine finfish culture in Malaysia. Grouper make up over 16 per cent by weight and 30 per cent by value of total marine finfish produced by aquaculture in Malaysia (Subramamiam 1999). Approximately 15 per cent of the fish seed are collected from the wild and/or produced in government or private hatcheries. The remaining 85 per cent is imported, primarily from Taiwan and Thailand (Subramamiam 1999). Net cages are the most popular grow-out system. The major grow-out sites for grouper in Malaysia are in Sabah, particularly Tuaran and Sandakan, and Sarawak (where wild seed are also captured) in East Malaysia. In Sabah, it is reported that there are two types of grouper culture – ‘system’ culture and ‘real’ culture (Sadovy 2000). System culture is the feeding of a variety of large captive juvenile or small adult grouper species in net cages. Real culture is the raising of wild-caught fry/fingerlings, primarily E. coioides and E. malabaricus.
Grouper are also cultured in Peninsular Malaysia in protected coastal areas in Johore, Selangor, Penang and Kedah. Several species of grouper are being grown-out in floating net cages including E. coioides, E. tauvina, E. fuscoguttatus, E. lanceolatus, Plectropomus leopardus, and Cromileptes altivelis. Wild seed are the major source of local supply of grouper seed.
Fish farmers in Malaysia have also been importing large numbers of hatchery-produced fish fry/juveniles from Taiwan in the last few years. The primary species imported are E. lanceolatus and E. fuscoguttatus and Cromileptes altivelis. It is reported that the survival rate of E. lanceolatus and C. altivelis was not very good and that the fish are susceptible to disease. The survival rate of E. fuscoguttatus was higher (Seng 2001).
There are few grouper hatcheries in Malaysia. There are two private hatcheries in Sabah working on grouper and other species. It is reported that they have had some problems with post-hatch larvae mortalities (Sadovy 2000). The University of Malaysia–Sabah has research underway or planned on several species including C. altivelis, E. fuscoguttatus and E. lanceolatus. It is important to note that no grouper fry/fingerlings can be imported into Sabah, thus the importance and need for hatcheries is significant (Sadovy 2000).
The Marine Finfish Production and Research Centre, at Terangganu in Peninsular Malaysia, a government facility, conducts research and produces fish fry for culturists, private hatcheries, and nursing. It also provides training to local finfish hatchery operators. The Centre is working on E. coioides and E. fuscoguttatus (Subramaniam 1999). There is a private hatchery in Penang working on E. coioides and E. fuscoguttatus using techniques learned from Taiwan (Sadovy 2000).
Trash fish is used to feed groupers but with decreasing amounts of trash fish available, some private feed mills have been producing a formulated diet for groupers. There is a need for more disease-free seed and fingerlings for industry development. There is also a need to maintain healthier broodstock. The government of Malaysia is encouraging an increase in the number of hatcheries. The government has identified aquaculture zones and provided infrastructure for aquaculture development. Research and development is also being encouraged. To protect grouper fry, there is a closed season on their capture during November and December, and only permitted from January to April in West Malaysia (Subramaniam 1999).
Philippines
Grouper aquaculture in the Philippines is based on the grow-out of wild-caught fry and fingerlings. Grouper fry and fingerlings are caught using a variety of methods including hook and line, scoop or dip nets, traps, gango or fish nest, fish corral, and several types of nets. In the Philippines, the major sources of grouper fry include the provinces of Pangasinan, Cavite, Mindoro, Quezon, Masbate, Bulacan, Cagayan, Dadiangas, Zamboanga del Sur and Negros Oriental. The Philippines is one of the largest suppliers of wild-caught grouper fry, fingerlings and juveniles in Southeast Asia.
Grouper culture in the Philippines is limited by the lack of enough fry and fingerlings of the preferred size for grow-out, poor quality of the fry due to capture method, and by sufficient supply of trash fish for feed. Overfishing, destructive fishing and the large amount of fry and fingerling exported are all stated reasons for the supply problem. The high dependence upon wild-caught fry and fingerlings in the Philippines is due, in part, to the lack of commercial hatcheries in the country (Marte pers comm. 2001). Some fish farmers in the Philippines are importing fingerlings from Taiwan and from the Gondol station in Bali, Indonesia.
Increasing numbers of fish farmers in the Philippines are now engaged in grouper culture. Grow-out is carried out using floating net cages, fixed net cages, and in ponds which were formerly used for shrimp culture. In addition to the lack of fry and fingerling supply, other problems with grow-out include disease, water quality and storm damage to cages (Sadovy 2000).
The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center-Aquaculture (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, is the primary source of technical information and research on grouper in the Philippines. SEAFDEC’s work focuses on E. coioides and E. malabaricus. SEAFDEC’s research is on broodstock development, seed production, and nursery and grow-out culture of groupers. SEAFDEC is now transferring the results of its research to the private sector (Marte 1999; Quinitio 1999; Baliao et al 2000).
There is reportedly one private broodstock operator in the country and several small private hatcheries. Three main species of grouper produced are E. coioides, E. malabaricus and E. lanceolatus. It is reported that spawning is still a problem, hatcheries are having problems with post-hatch larvae and diseases, and production is not at commercial levels. Recently, a development project in the province of Samar constructed hatchery facilities to produce fry and fingerlings of E. coioides and E. malabaricus. The project was designed to produce fry and fingerlings for grow-out as an alternative livelihood for local people. SEAFDEC provided technical assistance to the project.
A model of grouper culture that has been discussed for the Philippines is to have one broodstock facility in an area or region of the country that would supply larvae to a number of satellite hatcheries. While the spawning and egg production of several grouper species can be achieved on a commercial level in the Philippines, a limiting factor to development is the reliance on trash fish for feed. A commercial diet for grouper will need to be made available. Parasitic infestations of grouper are causing increasing mortality (Marte 1999).
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
Hatcheries in Taiwan are currently able to hatch more than 40 species of marine fish for mariculture, with E. coioides, E. lanceolatus, Trachinotus blochii, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, L. stellatus and Acanthopagrus latus being the species in greatest numbers. Early grouper culture in the 1970s and 1980s consisted of growing-out wild-caught fry from Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries. Full-cycle grouper aquaculture of E. coioides and E. malabaricus was achieved in the early 1980s. Currently, fifteen species of grouper are being cultured in Taiwan, many on demand. The most common grouper species are E. lanceolatus, E. coioides, E. malabaricus and E. fuscoguttatus. By 2001, more than 600 hatchery and grow-out farms produced over 20 million fry and over 7000 t of grouper annually from a production area of more than 700 ha. Both hatchery produced and imported seed are used in production. Taiwan supplies fertilised grouper eggs and seed to export markets.
Grouper mariculture operations in Taiwan are usually specialised in one of several areas of production system such as broodstock/eggs, hatchery, nursery, and grow-out. The specialisation has led to a decrease in the price of fry and fingerlings (Cesar and Hempel 2000). Broodstock are kept in outdoor ponds and are induced to spawn artificially or allowed to spawn naturally (Sadovy 2000). Larviculture uses both indoor and outdoor methods. Two-pond culture systems are used for the nursery phase – a small pond, 100 m2 in size with small cages, and a large pond used during winter (Rimmer 1998). Grow-out occurs in both floating net cages and in ponds. The majority of Taiwanese grouper farmers now use moist pellet, artificial feed. Water quality and diseases are increasing problems (Rimmer 1998).
Cesar and Hempel (2000) reported that the reasons for the relative success of Taiwan’s grouper aquaculture industry include: 1) success in mass production of fertilised eggs, 2) advances in the fry production system, 3) highly specialised subsystems and division of labour, 4) high efficiency in the production of live feeds, 5) aggregated hatchery business, 6) wide use of formulated feeds, 7) thoroughly experienced hatchery operators, and 8) sound research and development infrastructure. To this list should be included strong government support for the industry and well organised industry associations.
Thailand
Grouper aquaculture is growing rapidly in Thailand. Grouper culture is primarily undertaken in floating net cages in the southern and eastern provinces of Thailand including Suratthani, Chumpon, Nakhonsrithamarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Satul, Krabi, Trang, Phangnga, Chachengsao, Rayong and Chantaburi. As the shrimp farming industry in these provinces declined during the 1990s due to lower prices, disease and environmental problems, many farmers shifted to brackish water finfish culture including grouper. The two most important species cultured in Thailand are E. coioides and E. malabaricus; in addition E. lanceolatus, E. areolatus, E. fuscoguttatus, Plectropomus maculatus, and Cromileptes altivelis are cultured.
Thailand is a major supplier of wild-caught grouper seed in Southeast Asia, although some local seed is also used to support the growing grouper culture industry in the country. A constraint to industry growth, is however the insufficient supply of suitable size and quality of seed. It has been reported that without the export of seed, there would be enough seed available to meet the demand in the country (Sadovy 2000). Hatchery production will need to be increased to meet the demand.
The government of Thailand has made grouper culture a priority for the country. There are several research institutions in the country working on grouper culture. The most prominent is the National Institute of Coastal Aquaculture (NICA) located in Songklha in southern Thailand. NICA works on E. coioides, E. malabaricus and E. lanceolatus. NICA provides grouper seed to farmers and well as technical assistance. There are several other research stations associated with the Department of Fisheries working on grouper in Phuket, Krabi and Satun. There is reportedly one private hatchery located in southern Thailand producing E. malabaricus seed.
Viral diseases and parasites are an increasing problem for grouper culture in Thailand. The availability of trash fish is another problem and even though artificial feed is available, it is too expensive for many farmers.
Vietnam
Grouper culture is a relatively new enterprise in Vietnam. There has been considerable growth in grouper grow-out culture, and other finfish, in net cages throughout the 1990s. Culture is centred in a number of provinces including Hai Phong and Quang Ninh in the north, and Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa in the south central. The Ministry of Fisheries has reported that marine fish aquaculture production was 5000 t in 1999, mostly groupers (Sadovy 2000).
Grow-out in the country is based primarily on the use of wild-caught fry and fingerlings. Most operations are small-scale and family-operated. Commonly cultured grouper species include E. coioides, E. malabaricus and E. bleekeri. In addition to floating net cages, fixed net cages and ponds (formerly used for shrimp) are used for grow-out. Only locally caught trash fish are used for feed. Disease is currently reported as not being a significant problem.
Although grouper hatchery technology has been developed, there are no private grouper hatcheries in Vietnam. The Research Institute for Aquaculture-1 (RIA-1), located in north Vietnam, maintains broodstock and a research programme at Cat Ba Island. The Fisheries University in Nha Trang has begun grouper hatchery research and maintains broodstock of several grouper species. It is reported that RIA-1 is building a hatchery research station and grow-out cages with foreign development assistance in Nghe An Province (Sadovy 2000).
Grouper seed supply and poor quality of seed due to catching and handling practices are two constraints faced by the industry. In addition, there needs to be cost-effective alternatives to trash fish for feed (Nguyen and Hambrey 2000).
References
Baliao, D.D., M.A. de los Santos, N.M. Franco and N.R.S. Jamon. 2000. Grouper culture in floating net cages. Aquaculture extension manual no. 29. SEAFDEC-Aquaculture Department, Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines.
Cesar, H and E. Hempel. 2000. Opportunities and constraints for grouper aquaculture in Asia. EASES discussion paper series. World Bank, Washington DC
Chan, P. 2000. Reviews and future of grouper aquaculture. Hong Kong Chamber of Seafood Merchants, Inc. Hong Kong, China
Marte, C. 1999. Grouper research at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department. www.enaca.org/grouper/research/hatchery/
Nguyen van Trai and J.B. Hambrey. 2000. Grouper culture in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand
Quinitio, G.F. 1999. The status of seed production of grouper and other coral reef fishes in the Philippines. www.enaca.org/grouper/research/hatchery/
Rimmer, M. 1998. Grouper and snapper aquaculture in Taiwan. Austasia Aquaculture. 12(1):3–7.
Sadovy, Y. 2000. Regional survey for fry/fingerling supply and current practices for grouper mariculture: Evaluating current status and long-term prospects for grouper mariculture in Southeast Asia. Final report to the collaborative APEC grouper research and development network (FWG 01/99)
Subramaniam, K. 1999. grouper aquaculture development in Malaysia. www.enaca.org/grouper/research/hatchery/
www.enaca.org/http://www.fmo.org.hk/index/lang_en/page_price-sea/
https://www.was.org/main/default.asp
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Terengganu To Be Biggest Hub For Barramundi In Asean
The MoU was signed by Terengganu Agrotech Development Corp Sdn Bhd (TADC), a Terengganu government subsidiary, and Cell Aquaculture Ltd of Perth, Australia, and was witnessed by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The project would be developed by TRG Cell Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture subsidiary of the two companies, on a 5.5-hectare marine culture centre in Tanjung Demong, Besut, in November under the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) concept.
TADC Executive Director Ir Adnan Ghazali said the project would be undertaken with technology specially brought in from Australia by Cell Aquaculture, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange that has developed the RAS and expanded its business to Europe and the Americas.
"We expect the technology to be brought in fully by the middle of December. Under the first phase, we will import the Barramundi fish fry from Australia.
"Six to eight months after that we expect to market the first harvest of the fish to Europe and the Americas as well as several other countries," he told reporters after signing the MoU. Cell Aquaculture was represented by its chairman, Perry Leach, and managing director, Peter Burn.
The first phase of the project is expected to yield 100 tonnes of Barramundi annually and the second phase 600 tonnes annually for export of live fish.
Adnan said the project would provide a boost to the country's aquaculture technology, particularly in Terengganu, and provide jobs for graduates and the local people.
Muhyiddin lauded the move by the Terengganu government, saying aquaculture products had good markets not only locally but also abroad.
Earlier, he had closed the National Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen's Day celebrations at the Taman Awam Batu Burok here.
He told reporters then that the Federal Government had set the target of making Terengganu a major food producer over the next eight to 10 years.
The ministry and the state government had drawn up an agricultural development plan to realise the objective, he said.
Muhyiddin said the Terengganu Agricultural Development Plan would be implemented soon and would be continued under the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015).
He said the private sector would also be encouraged to help make a success of the plan which would involve various sectors, including cultivation of vegetables, fruits and herbs and breeding of goats and dairy cattle as well as fisheries and aquaculture.
-- BERNAMA
