SERDANG: Malaysia can restore its glory as one of the world’s leading players in the ornamental fish industry by focusing on, strengthening and promoting various types of fish, including fighting fish, said Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Munir Mohd Nawi.
He said Malaysia was once the second largest exporter of ornamental fish in the world after Singapore, but in 2016, Malaysia plummeted to the eighth place, while Singapore continued to retain the top spot.
With the capacity of producing 325 million fish and 112 aquatic plants in 2017, the industry then generated total return of RM340 million to the country, he told a press conference after launching the Wild Betta Lovers Malaysia Carnival organised by Persatuan Pencinta Ikan Laga Liar Malaysia at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang here today.
Munir said 548 entrepreneurs and 1,433 workers were involved in the industry,.
He said the association, with a membership of over 3,000 people, has set up the ‘’Wild Betta Village’’ with MAEPS being proposed as its location for collection and exhibition of Malaysian species of fighting fish.
“By popularising various types of Malaysian fighting fish, it will enhance the professionalism of the industry players, while attracting local and foreign fans, and assailing the country’s fighting fish market to the world stage,“ he said. — Bernama
