Fish farms in Singapore have to reel in higher output or face the prospect of losing their licences.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is setting targets for the 95 coastal fish farms to increase productivity. Each farm must yield a minimum of 17 tonnes of fish per half-hectare of space annually. That space is the average size of a fish farm here.
‘What we need to do with regard to local farming is to ensure that all the land that has been set aside for local farming will be productive,’ said AVA chief executive Tan Poh Hong yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference to announce its plans, she added that licences may not be renewed if targets are not met within two or three years.
According to the AVA, some possible reasons for poor harvests could be a lack of capital or skills, or misuse of space, like using the farm for entertainment purposes. The push is part of a greater move to lift the percentage of local fish in the national supply from the current 4 per cent to 15 per cent in the next five to 10 years.
Singapore imports 90 per cent of its food so increased local production would give some protection from disruptions in global food supply and escalating prices.
Currently, 23 of the 95 coastal farms exceed the 17-tonne target. Ten are getting 8.5 to 17 tonnes and 36 are netting less than 8.5 tonnes. The remaining farms are new or have undergone a recent change of ownership.
The AVA will send teams to farms in the next few months to identify gaps and develop improvement plans, such as helping farmers to apply for funds and sharing information on subjects such as fish vaccination and feeding.
The AVA is now more stringent with new applications for fish-farm licences, with applicants assessed for technical expertise and financial backing.
It launched a $5 million food fund in December 2009, and doubled it to $10 million in 2010, to improve the operations of local farms. However, only a few of the more capable fish farmers had applied, said Ms Tan.
Some fish farmers have got together to promote their interests. The Singapore Marine Co-operative Societies, the first farm co-op here, was set up in January this year, with 24 members who own eight farms.
It has not made any headway on meeting its target of more than 100 tonnes of fish a month from each of its member farms. Its founder Philip Lim, who owns a 3ha fish farm off Pasir Ris, said members now produce 55 tonnes of fish per year.
Other fish farm owners like Mr James Loh, 55, a fisherman for the past 20 years, think a lot more work will be needed to meet the target.
‘I hope the AVA can help and give us some funding. We are so small, it’s not easy,’ said Mr Loh, who now produces 10 tonnes of fish a year from his half-hectare farm off the east coast.
