KOTA BARU: The East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will have two new fish
processing centres to improve revenue capture and boost the earnings of
fishermen.
These centres would be based in Kuala Besar in Kelantan and Kuala Besut in
Terengganu.
Under the stewardship of Malaysia Fisheries Development Board (LKIM), the two
centres will focus on downstream fisheries activities, including processed and
ready-for-table fish-based food products, LKIM said in a statement. The centres will
also monitor food processing methods, quality, standardisation, packaging,
presentation and branding to help penetrate new markets.
They will act as accreditation centres for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), halal
and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certifications.
The centre in Kuala Besar will focus on fish floss (serunding ikan), anchovy (ikan
bilis) crisps and fish-based rolls while Kuala Besut will be the base for keropok
lekor and fish-based otoshimi.
LKIM director-general Mustafa bin Haji Ahmad said LKIM has been tasked with
managing and monitoring 13 fish landing complexes in ECER – three in Kelantan,
four in Pahang and six in Terengganu.
LKIM was established in 1971 to improve the socio-economy of fishermen and
develop the fisheries industry.
— The Star Online (Business)