A Publication of the Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Fisheries, Malaysia

***Vol.4 No:2 (December **1999)

Introduction

The Sarawak branch of FRI, is one of the seven branches of the Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Fisheries Malaysia. This is located in Bintawa, 4-5 km from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. In 1965, the De-

partment of Marine Fisheries (JPLS) was set up by the Federal government with the mandate to develop and manage the marine and brackishwater fisheries. JPLS also conducted research on marine resources with its research vessel, KK DUEH PUTIH. In 1980, the Sarawak Branch of FRI was established to cater not only for research and development needs in fishery resources but also to support the emerging marine and brackishwater aquaculture development in Sarawak. New programmes and activities especially in aquaculture and deep-sea fisheries have been planned and some have been carried out. Today, this branch has a bigger and better equipped vessel. KK MANCHONG, purchased in 1985, to conduct research in the Malaysian EEZ. In terms of manpower, there are 59 staff members comprising 10 research officers, 11 laboratory research assistants and 38 supporting staff including the boat  crew.

Objectives
1. To provide scientific advisory services in fisheries, aquaculture and marine environment. 
2. To develop and provide information, methodology, new processes and technology for an increased fish production.
3. To conserve, rehabilitate and enchance living aquatic resources.
4. To develop new uses for living aquatic resources, upgrade quality and reduce post-harvest losses.

Roles
The Sarawak Branch of FRI carries out research in marine and brackishwater aquaculture in Sarawak and Labuan as well as fisheries resource studies in the EEZ of Malaysia. The branch also provides technical expertise to target groups in the fields of aquaculture, ecology and fishery resources management.

Activities of the Branch
Two major activities are planned to meet the objectives of the branch.
Marine Fisheries Research
a. A survey on the marine fisheries resources of the EEZ in Sarawak and Sabah waters with 4 main components - acoustic survey, demersal fisheries resource survey, fish population structure study and fisheries oceanography studies.
b. Studies on the recruitment, growth and mortality patterns of the banana shrimp, Penaeus merguiensis, in the Sarawak estuary in relation to its cohort density.
c. Research on the distribution and productivity level of pelagic fish in fish aggregating devices (FAD) in Sarawak waters.
d. Studies on recreational fishing off Pulau Layang-Layang, Labuan, coastal areas and estuaries off Sarawak waters.
e. Inventorisation and distribution of seaweed resources in Sarawak waters.

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