Johor’s myKP Sungai Ayam Rakes In RM5 Mln Annual Income From Cockle Farming
ISKANDAR PUTERI, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The myKomuniti Perikanan (myKP) programme in Johor has proven effective in driving the socio-economic development of local fishermen, with one community recording an annual income of up to RM5 million.
Johor State Fisheries director Rosmawati Ghazali said this commendable milestone was attained by myKP Sungai Ayam in Batu Pahat, which is engaged in cockle farming.
“Cockle farming does not require feed (which entails costs) or the monitoring of water quality -- unlike other forms of aquaculture -- so it can be said to offer high profit margins.
“In addition to (cockle) rearing, this community also acts as a wholesaler, sourcing supplies from myKP in the Batu Pahat, Pontian, and Tangkak areas,” she told reporters during the “myKP Pendekar Laut Target Group Strengthening Programme with the Johor Media” event here today.
She said this achievement was followed by the success of 18 myKP participants, comprising small and medium enterprises, each generating annual revenue exceeding RM300,000.
Rosmawati said there are 41 myKP groups, comprising 136 fishermen in Johor -- the highest number of such groups in the country since the initiative was introduced in 2017.
She said myKP consists of groups of coastal fishermen, inland fishermen, aquaculture practitioners, and Orang Asli (indigenous) fishermen who engage in a variety of fishing activities.
She said the primary activities and focus areas include shellfish farming projects, recreational fishing activities, coastal or inland fishing, fisheries resource management, fresh fish collection centres, and engine repair workshops.
Rosmawati said the myKP programme, managed by the Department of Fisheries, helps expand and diversify the economies of existing and new fishing communities by exploring new income-generating opportunities.
She said the initiative helps expand resource management and community-based fisheries activities to target groups, while involving the community directly in conservation programmes for fisheries resources and the environment.
“myKP also serves as a channel for interaction and a strategic partner to the department, ensuring the effectiveness of programmes in the field,” she said.
Earlier, the programme allowed Johor journalists to observe several fisheries-related activities carried out by the “myKP Pendekar Laut” group in Pendas, Gelang Patah.
They gained hands-on experience in casting nets, angling, and twisting mussel ropes, while watching a demonstration on replacing the palm fronds used in “unjam” (fish-aggregating devices) designed to draw fish in for shelter and food.
-- BERNAMA