ANNEX A
PROJECT PROPOSAL¹

II. BACKGROUND

The Problem. A South China Sea Programme consultant on seaweed resources and culture surveyed the coast of west Malaysia to determine its potential for seaweed culture. Aerial and ground surveys were made during November-December 1975 and October-November 1976. Two species of Gracilaria which are probably suited for culture were found growing in abundance along the west coast on the middle ground between Penang and the mainland. The environment where these were located is similar to that occuring along the Perak, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis shores. It was estimated that there is approximately 150 miles (240 km) of shore suitable for farming in which there appear to be about 21 miles (34 km) in segments of a few miles which are of prime value.

A preliminary assay of properties of the agar gel from these species yielded encouraging results in that during 1976, dried seaweeds with similar gels were sold at over US$300 per ton for processing in Europe, Japan and the United States. As the type of gel found in these seaweeds is in demand, there should be a ready export market for seaweed produced from farming.

As a result of the surveys, the consultant recommended that farming of Gracilaria sp. on the northwest coast has good potential for development. He estimated that seaweed farming which would support 500 families could be introduced and developed within a four-year period.

¹ This proposal was drafted by the Programme staff based on the consultant's report.

While the potential for Gracilaria culture appears excellent, there is no precedent to follow for tropical farming of Gracilaria outside of Taiwan. Annual yields of three to five tons per hectare of Gracilaria are commonly obtained from ponds in Taiwan, however, a different species with an inferior gel is grown there. Consequently, it is necessary to conduct preliminary investigations in Malaysia to develop suitable culture methods. This proposal is for a project to assist the government in obtaining this information.

Related projects. None

Government interest and support. The Government is interested in developing aquaculture activities as a source of employment for unemployed or under-employed fishermen. Realizing the potential of seaweed farming, the Division of Fisheries has formulated a plan for development and is submitting a proposal for funding in 1978. This project is intended to supplement the government programme by providing a modest amount of needed technical expertise and equipment.

FAO/UNDP country programme. The UNDP Second Country Programme for Malaysia recognizes the need for fisheries development in Malaysia and the role that aquaculture can play in that development. It states: “In general, the opportunities for a great variety of cultured fish, shellfish and other water creatures is very great. However, utilization of this potential is still hampered by lack of technology at the practical production level. A greater effort is to be made to strengthen fishery services as well as assist commercially operating agencies and private aquaculturists for which the TMP¹ will provide subsidies and research support. The SCS² will assist in as much as its resources permit, but a national project is required for development, training and extension needs. SCP³ funds in the amount of US$400 000 have been allocated for high priority fishery development programmes which are now being formulated.”

This project forms part of the SCSP assistance.

III. PURPOSE

Long-range objective

To provide employment and/or increased income to coastal fishermen and their families.

Immediate objective

To provide information necessary for the formulation of a largescale development project to establish a viable seaweed farming industry in Malaysia.

¹ Third Malaysian Plan

² South China Sea Fisheries Development and Coordinating Programme (SCSP)

³ Second Country Programme (UNDP)

IV. WORK PLAN

The project will be implemented through the Fisheries Research Institute, Glugor, Penang, Malaysia

PUBLICATIONS OF THE
SOUTH CHINA SEA FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATING PROGRAMME

Working Papers

NOTE: Copies of these papers can be obtained by writing to the Programme in Manila, Philippines.

WORKSHOP REPORTS

PERIODIC PROGRESS REPORTS

SOUTH CHINA SEA FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATING PROGRAMME

Fisheries Technical Papers

FAO species identification sheets for fishery purposes. Eastern Indian Ocean (Fishing area 57) and Western Central Pacific (Fishing area 71). Rome, FAO, 1974. 4 vols.

(ADB/FAO Market Studies)

TECHNICAL REPORTS CONTRIBUTED TO SYMPOSIA/MEETINGS, ETC.

Rabanal, H.R. 1975 FAO activities in inland fisheries and aquaculture with particular reference to Asia and the Far East. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 17p. (Contributed to the First Fisheries Research Congress, Philippine Council for Agriculture & Resource Research, 7–10 March 1975, Legaspi City, Philippines)

Rabanal, H.R. 1975 Preliminary report on the Macrobrachium fishery in the Indo-Pacific region. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 20p. (Contributed to the International Conference on Prawn Farming, Vung Tau, Vietnam, 31 March - 4 April 1975)

Rabanal, H.R. 1975 Distribution and occurrence of milkfish Chanos chanos (Forskal) Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme, 1975. 18p. (Contributed to the National Bangos Symposium. Manila, 25–26 July 1975)

Rabanal, H.R. 1976 Mangrove and their utilization for aquaculture. Manila South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 20p. (Contributed to the National Workshop on Mangrove Ecology held in Phuket, Thailand 10–16 January 1976)

Rabanal, H.R. 1976 Report of project identification mission to Bangladesh on inland fisheries and aquaculture. Manila, Asian Development Bank. 56p.

Rabanal, H.R. 1976 Aquaculture 1976: Focus Southeast Asia. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 12p. (Talk delivered at the National Convention of the Federation of Fish Producers of the Philippines, Iloilo City, 26 August 1976)

Simpson, A.C. 1976 Some proposal for research related to the understanding of mangrove ecology and the utilization of mangrove areas. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 10p. (Contributed to the National Workshop on Mangrove Ecology held in Phuket, Thailand 10–16 January 1976)

Cook, H.L. 1976 Some aspects of shrimp culture research with particular reference to Philippine species. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 7p. (Contributed to the Philippine Council for Agriculture & Resources Research (PCARR), Fisheries Workshop, Subic, Zambales, Philippines 15–17 January 1976.

Rabanal, H.R. 1976 The resources in inland waters: their utilization and management. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 21p. (Talk delivered before the Phi Sigma Biological Society as a contribution to the Deogracias V. Villadolid Memorial lecture series. Manila, Philippines, 26 November 1976.

Rabanal, H.R. 1977 Aquaculture in the Philippines. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 15p. (Talk delivered before the United States Peace Corps Volunteers. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, 11 January 1977)

Rabanal, H.R. 1977 Aquaculture in Southeast Asia. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 10p. (Paper contributed to the Fifth FAO/SIDA Workshop on Aquatic Pollution in relation to Protection of Living Resources. Manila, Philippines, 17 – 27 February 1977.

Simpson, A.C. 1977 Fisheries research and development in the Philippines: Some recommendations with special reference to resource management. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 16p.

Rabanal, H.R. 1977 Aquaculture management. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 12p. (Contribution to the BFAR/FAO-UNDP Training of Regional Trainors in Aquaculture. Lucena, Quezon, Philippines, 19 September to 27 October 1977)

Rabanal, H.R. 1977 Recent trends in aquaculture. Manila, South China Sea Fisheries Programme. 13p. (Paper contributed to the Seminar/Workshop for Fishery Schools' Administrators, conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Manila, Philippines, 24–28 October 1977)