THE SEA VAULT : OFFSHORE ECOTOURISM AQUACULTURE CENTRE AT PULAU BESAR, JOHOR DARUL TAKZIM

Abstract

Malaysia is one of the major fish consumers globally, with 56.5 kg of fish consumed per person each year, which is higher than the world average fish consumption. High fish consumption and sea pollution affected the number of captured fisheries. Malaysia, at this point, must not rely on captured fisheries as the primary seafood resources. Hence aquaculture is seen as the most suitable way to overcome the issue. However, land aquaculture produced freshwater pollution and resulted in low-quality fisheries. Therefore, this
research proposes a sustainable offshore aquaculture centre design in Malaysia to reduce water pollution and increase marine fish produce. The first objective of the research is to identify the type of marine fishes that can increase other marine fish population. The second objective is to determine sustainable aquaculture practices. The third objective is to determine the appropriate research facilities for breeding and production. The whole study was at Pulau Besar, Johor. The research methodology adopted is qualitative
research through case studies, interviews, and structured observation. The first finding is that parrotfish identified as important species for breeding to balance the marine ecosystem. The second finding had identified sustainable aquaculture practices such as cage angling, fish breading in its natural habitat, use of natural food for fish feeding. The third finding identified is marine research laboratories like hatchery, experiment, parrotfish sanctuary, which can increase marine fish production.