MIMOS AND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF MALAYSIA (LKIM) IN PACT TO DEVELOP FISH FORECASTING SYSTEM

To increase fish production to RM11 billion by 2010

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, 25 MAY 2009 – MIMOS recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) to develop a Fish Forecasting System (FFS) in line with increasing fish haul to a value of RM11billion by 2010 as outlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Under the agreement, MIMOS will design and develop the FFS including the development of fish location forecasting model, database portal development and an information dissemination system to distribute the forecasted fish locations.

Dato’ Abdul Wahab Abdullah, President & CEO, MIMOS Berhad (right) and YB Datuk Hj Abdul Rahim bin Ismail, Chairman, Fisheries Department Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) (left) sealed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to develop a Fish Forecasting System (FFS) aimed at increasing fish haul to a value of RM11billion by 2010.

LKIM will provide the content such as in-situ data, oceanography and acoustic data; fish catch and fish landing data.

“The FFS, expected to be available in April 2010 will enable fishermen to save between 20% and 40% of the total time spent on locating potential fishing zones which is currently based on fishermen tacit knowledge and experience,” said Dato’ Abdul Wahab Abdullah, President & Chief Executive Officer, MIMOS.

“In addition, the FSS as MIMOS’ proof-of-concept for the fishery industry will demonstrate that our technology platforms are able to cut across all verticals including traditional and non-traditional sectors,” he added.
The integration of remote sensing data (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentration) provided by Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency in the FFS will play a crucial part in determining the potential fishing zones.

The FFS is expected to result in higher fishing productivity; enhance the livelihood of fishermen and achieve a sustainable development for the fisheries industry in Malaysia.The MoA follows the FFS project kick-off in August 2007. The FFS is a joint R&D project between MIMOS, Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF), LKIM and National Fishermen’s Association of Malaysia (NEKMAT) for the development of an efficient system for fish forecasting for a sustainable fisheries industry.