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Current Status of Transboundary Fish Diseases in Malaysia: Occurrence, Surveillance, Research and Training

Faazaz Abd. Latiff

National Fish Health Research Centre
Fisheries Research Institute
11960 Batu Maung, Penang, Malaysia

Introduction

Malaysia lies within 100⁰ and 119⁰ East longitudes, and 7⁰ North latitude (Fig. 1). Neighbouring countries are Thailand to the north and Singapore to the south. The country consists of two land masses with a total area of 330,434 square kilometres: Peninsular Malaysia is located south of Thailand, while East Malaysia, comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak, stretches along

the northern part of Borneo. The two land masses are separated by the South China Sea. Malaysia has a total coastline of 4,675 km, with 2,068 km for the Peninsula and about 2,607 km for East Malaysia. It is on a strategic location along Straits of Malacca and southern South China Sea. The fisheries sector plays an important role in providing fish as a source of food and protein. It contributes about 1.54% of the GDP and provides direct employment to 84,496 fishermen and 22,108 fish culturists. Over the years, the industry has succeeded in achieving a steady production from its marine inshore fisheries amounting to an average of 1.06 million tons (Annual Fisheries
Statistics, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001). In 2001, the fisheries sector produced RM 5.45 billion (Euro 1.25 billion) consisting of 1,408,308 metric tons (MT) of fish valued at RM 5.37 billion, and 338 million pieces of ornamental fish valued at RM 81 million. Statistically, the sector recorded an overall decrease in production by 3.12%, but an increased value of 0.06% compared to 2000 figures. Production from marine capture fisheries yielded 1,231,289 MT with a value of RM 4.17 billion. Within the sector, the coastal fisheries remained the major contributor with a production of 1,063,363 MT valued at RM 3.66 billion. The aquaculture sector recorded a production of 177,019 MT, which constituted 12.6% of the total fish production valued at RM 1,206.59 million. The inland fisheries sector remained insignificant producing only 3,446 MT or 0.24% of the total fish production (Annual Fisheries Statistics, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001). The lists of aquatic animal species traded live for food and other purposes are given in Appendices 1A-1F.