Oysters in high demand, says don

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THE Penang aquaculture players today have been urged to venture into the oyster industry to boost the seafood demand.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) director Prof Datuk Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai said the demand for seafood was on the rise and it was important to attract aquaculture players to meet the demand.

She said that majority of the breeders have earned a decent income through this industry

“For instance, the local operators in the country could only meet 14 percent of the demand while the remaining are imported currently.

“The oyster industry is much needed here and we hope more breeders will take up the initiative in oyster farming.

“On our side, USM would facilitate the breeding process,” said Tan in a public lecture in USM today.

She added that local oysters are far better than frozen ones as they are low in cholesterol level and accepted widely.

“They taste good and fresh as well,” Tan told the audience.

She also said local oysters would bring health benefits especially to heart patients.

Also present were state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, state Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and USM School of Life Sciences Dean Prof Dr Amirul Al-Ashraf Abdullah.

Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alvie Cheng