Penang accounts for 77% of Malaysia’s aquaculture seabass production in 2025, with 44,596 metric tonnes valued at RM562.51 million.
NIBONG TEBAL: Penang accounted for 77 per cent of the country’s total aquaculture seabass production in 2025, with an output of 44,596.46 metric tonnes valued at RM562.51 million.
Director-general of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain said Penang’s position as the country’s leading seabass producer must be supported by good aquaculture practices, including compliance with the Malaysia Good Aquaculture Practices (MyGAP), prudent antibiotic management, and the implementation of farm biosecurity measures.
“Compliance with MyGAP, prudent antibiotic management and biosecurity controls are essential to ensuring that aquaculture products are safe, of high quality and meet market requirements,” he said in a statement issued by the Department of Fisheries (DOF) today.
The statement was issued after he delivered his keynote address at the MyGAP Engagement Session and Antibiotic Management in the Aquaculture Industry programme in Penang today.
Meanwhile, the DOF said that based on its records, the country’s seabass production last year totalled 58,221.38 metric tonnes, valued at RM755.27 million.
According to the DOF, Penang’s seabass production increased 12.36 per cent year-on-year to 44,596.46 metric tonnes worth RM562.51 million in 2025, while production value rose 14.90 per cent from RM489.55 million in 2024.
“Besides seabass, Penang recorded total aquaculture production of 54,767.3 metric tonnes worth RM1.14 billion in 2024. DOF data also showed 105 pond-based seabass farmers operating in Seberang Perai – 93 in Seberang Perai Selatan, 11 in Seberang Perai Tengah and one in Seberang Perai Utara.
“In addition, 17 white shrimp and black tiger shrimp farmers operate in the area,” it said.
The department is also preparing for a technical field inspection by the Department of Fisheries Thailand (DOFT) on Malaysia’s aquaculture export requirements to Thailand. Preparations involve all competent authorities (CAs) – the DOF, the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), and the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) – to ensure compliance with biosecurity measures, prudent antibiotic management, product traceability systems and food safety standards.
The DOF said antibiotic use in the aquaculture industry is regulated under the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) and subsidiary legislation, including the Fisheries (Inland Fisheries Aquaculture) Regulations, while the use of veterinary medicines at the production stage is regulated by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Feed Act 2009 (Act 698).
“The DOF will continue to monitor and provide guidance to industry players to ensure the country’s aquaculture production meets food safety requirements, export market standards and consumer interests,” it said.
