Southern zone aid boost
20 Fisheries
@ AGROBiz | JULY-AUGUST. 2026
Neighbours find common ground
• Malaysia and Thailand settle outstanding market-access issues.
• New MoU covers fisheries, livestock, trade, R & D and biosecurity.
• Bilateral agricultural and agri-food trade reached RM20.33 billion in 2025.
MALAYSIA and Thailand have resolved outstanding issues over fisheries market access and agreed to bring a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) on agricultural cooperation into force within a week.
The agreement was concluded in Putrajaya on Jul 9 during Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’ s first official visit to Malaysia, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Anutin witnessing the exchange of the MoU by Agriculture and Food
Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and his Thai counterpart Suriya Juangroongruangkit.
Anwar said both countries had agreed to accelerate implementation of the agreement after resolving the fisheries-related issues.
“ We have resolved this issue of outstanding issues on fisheries with both ministers ' commitment,” he said at a joint Press conference.
Anutin said food security had been a key focus of the discussions, adding that the agriculture ministers had reached“ amicable solutions” to pending market-access cases
BILATERAL COOPERATION: Malaysia and Thailand formalise an agricultural cooperation agreement aimed at improving food security, trade facilitation and coordination on fisheries and agricultural products.
involving fisheries and agricultural products.
According to Malaysia’ s Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, the MoU establishes a framework covering crop production, livestock, fisheries, trade facilitation and agricultural product marketing.
It also includes research and development, capacity building, biosecurity, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and other areas of mutual interest.
The ministry said the framework would improve communication and coordination between relevant authorities, allowing agricultural and agri-food issues to be addressed more quickly and through a more structured mechanism.
The agreement follows Malaysia’ s Jun 1 tightening of import controls on Thai fisheries products, including a requirement for Certificates of Analysis for barramundi and a temporary restriction on five shrimp species.
Agricultural and agri-food trade between the two countries reached RM20.33 billion in 2025, with Malaysia exporting mainly coffee, cocoa, tea, spices and processed foods, while importing meat and meat products.
Marine data prioritised
MALAYSIA has identified priorities to improve marine data management and strengthen its network of Marine Protected Areas( MPAs) following a national forum involving government agencies, research institutions, universities, civil society organisations and conservation practitioners.
The two-day National Forum 2026 in Putrajaya was jointly organised by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, WWF-Malaysia, Reef Check Malaysia and the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences.
More than half of Malaysia ' s national territory lies in the ocean, but only about 5 per cent of its waters are currently protected. Participants identified better coordination and data management as priorities for expanding and effectively managing marine conserved areas.
The forum found that marine data collected by different agencies and institutions remains fragmented. Participants highlighted the need for stronger data-sharing mechanisms, standardisation and coordination between government, academia and civil society.
“ Good science begins with good data,” said Affendi Yang Amri, president of the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences.
The forum also identified priority areas for implementing the MyMPA Blueprint, the national framework for planning and managing Malaysia ' s
MARINE ACTION: Stakeholders gather at a national forum to strengthen marine data management and support more effective protection of Malaysia ' s marine areas.( SOURCE: © Justice Khor / WWF-Malaysia)
MPA network.
Recommendations included shortand medium-term actions and clearer roles for government agencies, state governments, research institutions and non-governmental organisations.
The outcomes will support Malaysia ' s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the 30x30 target to conserve 30 per cent of coastal and marine areas by 2030.
Southern zone aid boost
MORE than RM3.32 million has been allocated this year to support fisheries entrepreneurs, aquaculture operators and fishing communities in the Southern Zone, the Department of Fisheries( DOF) said.
Fisheries Director-General Datuk Adnan Hussain said RM348,170 was channelled to participants of the myAgropreneur Perikanan( myAP) and MyKomuniti Perikanan( myKP) programmes. At the same time, RM2.956 million was allocated to 89 aquaculture operators in Melaka, Negri Sembilan and Johor.
The aquaculture assistance supports farming activities involving catfish, tilapia and prawns.
The DOF also provided RM22,317 worth of equipment, including safety vests, bags and flashlights, to fisheries network heads serving as departmental representatives in fishing communities.
Adnan said the myAP Carnival, held in conjunction with Melaka Agrofest 2026, aimed to develop fish-processing entrepreneurs through value-added products while supporting community incomes and fisheries resource management.
Meanwhile, Pesona Rasa Akuakultur 2026 sought to raise awareness of aquaculture, which produces about 511,000 tonnes annually and contributes significantly to national fisheries output.
Three Melaka aquaculture farms producing catfish, tilapia and tiger prawns also received Malaysian Good Aquaculture Practices( myGAP) certification at the event. @ AGROBiz