Prawn disease in Sabah negligible, under control

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TAWAU: Incidence of disease affecting shrimps or prawns in Sabah is almost negligible and under control as there has been no reported outbreak of any such disease so far, says the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

Its director general, Dato’ Ahamad Sabki bin Mahmood, disclosed that a bio-survey unit had been set up in Sabah to monitor and carry out sample testing of prawn production from time to time to detect the disease, if any, on the prawns here. They will undertake sampling on soil, water and prawn for detection of any disease.

Besides that, the research and development (R & D) unit is also carrying out research to prevent or eliminate disease, such as the white spot disease on tiger prawns (penaeus monodon).

Ahamad Sabki said this at a press conference after officiating at the shipment of the 200th container of prawns for export under a National Key Economic Area project at Pegagau Specialty Farming Sdn Bhd, Umas-Umas near here yesterday morning.

“In recent years, we have initiated efforts to culture another species, called White Prawn (udang putih). We have, so far, not confronted any problem with this white prawn production (for phase one), but generally, we have achieved considerable success for almost 10 years now in this industry.

“We have also been carrying out R & D on the early mortality syndrome (EMS) of white prawns since two years ago and thus far, we have been able to control this disease from affecting production. Today, Pegagau Specialty Farming Sdn Bhd is able to maintain its high prawn production over the last six years and have not confronted any problem with disease affecting the prawns throughout its operation,” Ahamad Sabki pointed out.

Touching on the effect of the curfew implementation in the east coast, he said it did not pose any problem or restrict the operation of the seaweed industry, especially in Semporna, as the seaweed cultivations were within three nautical miles. However, it would have some effect on the aquaculture market during the curfew period.

Sabah Fisheries Department deputy director Azhar Kassim disclosed that more than 100 permits have been issued to the fishermen recently to carry out commercial fishing within five to ten nautical miles off the coast.