Singapore farms aim to produce 15% of fish consumed locally

Joanne Chan Channel NewsAsia 1 Dec 11;

SINGAPORE : Farms in Singapore are moving towards the target of producing 15 per cent of fish consumed locally.

Efforts by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to boost productivity has seen the percentage of locally-farmed fish rise to seven per cent, up from 4.5 per cent two years ago.

Singapore gets its baby fishes or fry from Taiwan or China. They are flown in and bred to maturity in a local fish farm.

But this also means production is being subjected to seasonal constraints in the source countries.

Alawn Koh, business development manager at Rong-Yao Fisheries, said: "When it comes to the winter months, there is no fry production due to unfavourable conditions up there. So with AVA's assistance, we are then able to assure a consistent supply."

He was referring to a programme by the AVA that aims to close that gap in the supply chain, by helping local farms spawn their own fry.

Following intensive research into the correct diet and spawning methods, AVA had successfully bred the first batch of fry at Rong-Yao Fisheries in July.

The eggs from the brooding stock are harvested and brought to a hatchery on another island, where the fingerlings would grow to 1.5 to two inches before being brought back to the fish farm.

The fingerlings will be bred for another four to five months before they are harvested for the supermarkets.

The first batch of locally-bred golden pomfret is expected to hit local tables and restaurants in May next year.

AVA hopes that local production of the golden pomfret will rise from 20 tonnes this year to 80 to 100 tonnes next year - equivalent to 350,000 golden pomfrets.

Rong Yao's Mr Koh also expects the quality of golden pomfret to be better with locally-produced fry.

He said: "Fry that come in from China and Taiwan...it is a long flight, by the time they reach here, there may be some effect (on quality). With local fry production, the distances are shorter, we are able to monitor, we are able to assure the quality with AVA's assistance.....we are definitely hoping for better survival rates."

Having a secured local source also strengthens Singapore's food supply resilience.

Wee Joo Yong, assistant director of aquaculture technology at the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, said: "In the event that there is a supply disruption from external sources, then our local consumers will have some degree of assurance that we can still depend on local production."

Meanwhile, a new branding campaign has been introduced to distinguish locally-farmed fish from foreign imports.

Seah Kian Peng, CEO of NTUC FairPrice, said: "Local fishes which are grown here, they will be fresher. Price is a consideration, no doubt, but we have to start somewhere. I think if we want prices to come down, (consumers have to) buy more of them."

- CNA/ms

Local fish supply to get a boost
AVA's effort results in commercially viable batch of golden pomfret fry
Lin Wenjian Straits Times 1 Dec 11;

SINGAPORE'S supply of fresh fish has received a boost since the successful spawning of pompano or golden pomfret fry recently.

The effort in local waters by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) in July was the first time results had been achieved here on a commercially viable scale.

The batch of fry is now at Rong-Yao Fisheries, and the harvest is likely to land in supermarkets by April or May next year.

This transfer of technology is part of AVA's efforts to help farmers increase their productivity, and it is giving similar assistance to other fish farms.

At a press conference yesterday, AVA said it hopes local pompano production will rise thanks to the initiative.

Last year, local fish farmers produced about 4.4 tonnes of golden pomfret using fry imported mainly from China and Taiwan. The figure is expected to reach 80 to 100 tonnes by next year now local fry is available.

Prices of the popular fish, commonly served steamed or baked in households, are seasonal, but are typically between $10.90 and $12.90 a kilogram.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, chief executive of supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice, said locally harvested fish cost a bit more than imported ones as there is less supply.

However, he added: 'With greater awareness and stronger demand, local farmers will have greater incentive to produce. The supply will increase, which will in turn drive prices down.'

FairPrice started selling golden pomfret from local farms two months ago, in addition to other locally bred varieties such as grey mullet and milkfish, which have been offered since 2008.

Fish from local farms now account for 10 per cent of all fish sold at the chain. It reported a 50 per cent rise in sales of local varieties compared with last year, indicating good demand.

Rong-Yao's business development manager, Mr Alawn Koh, said it is using locally bred fry in addition to imported fry to ensure a consistent supply.

He explained: 'Supply from Taiwan and China is disrupted during the winter months in December as conditions then are not favourable for production.'

Ms Wee Joo Yong, an assistant director at AVA's aquaculture technology unit, said Singapore now has a reliable 'Plan B' to maintain a ready supply of fresh fish.

She added: 'Local production plays a crucial role in ensuring a resilient food supply. We aim to achieve some degree of self-sufficiency in key food items like fish. If external supplies are disrupted, there is some assurance that consumers can still depend on local production.'

Singapore has 119 coastal fish farms, which produce 7 per cent of the fish consumed locally - up from 4.5 per cent in 2009. AVA wants to raise the figure to 15 per cent eventually.

With increased supply, housewife Loi Siew Yan, 64, hopes to see cheaper buys come Chinese New Year next month.

'Everything is more expensive - it will be good news if fish prices come down.'

S'pore-bred pomfret to be in stores soon
Joanne Chan Today Online 2 Dec 11;

SINGAPORE - Expect to see Singapore's first batch of locally-bred golden pomfret at supermarkets and restaurants come May next year, as the authorities continue in efforts to boost productivity at local fish farms and improve food security.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) hopes that local production of the golden pomfret will rise from 20 tonnes this year to 80 to 100 tonnes next year - equivalent to 350,000 golden pomfrets.

Singapore fish farms have made headway towards producing 15 per cent of the fish consumed in Singapore by 2015, with the percentage now at 7 per cent from 4.5 per cent two years ago.

To improve the productivity of farms breeding golden pomfret, the AVA introduced a programme to produce "fry" - baby fishes - in Singapore, instead of importing them from Taiwan and China. It successfully bred the first batch of golden pomfret fry at Rong-Yao Fisheries in July, after intensive research into the correct diet and spawning methods.

Imported golden pomfret fry is subjected to seasonal constraints but, with the AVA's assistance, Singapore farms are assured of a consistent supply, said Mr Alawn Koh, business development manager at Rong-Yao Fisheries.

The eggs from the brooding stock are harvested and brought to a hatchery on another island, where they grow to 1.5 to 2 inches before being brought back to the fish farm. The fingerlings will be bred for another four to five months before they are harvested for the supermarkets.

Mr Koh expects the quality of golden pomfret to be better with locally-produced fry: "Fry that comes in from China and Taiwan ... it is a long flight, by the time they reach here, there may be some effect."

Local fry means shorter transport times and better ability to monitor the quality of the fish, he said.

Added Ms Wee Joo Yong, assistant director of aquaculture technology at the AVA: "In the event that there is a supply disruption from external sources, then our local consumers will have some degree of assurance that we can still depend on local production."

Meanwhile, a new branding campaign called "SGfish - Fresh in Singapore" has been introduced to distinguish locally-farmed fish from foreign imports.

Said NTUC FairPrice chief executive officer Seah Kian Peng: "Local fishes which are grown here, they will be fresher. Price is a consideration, no doubt, but we have to start somewhere."