Taxonomic study of edible bivalve from selected division of Sarawak, Malaysia.

The diversity of edible bivalve was conducted from August 2010 to July 2011 covering eight divisions i.e., Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Lawas of Sarawak, Malaysia. Samples were collected from native market and fishing village during the study period. All edible bivalves inhabit either in brackish or marine environment and comprised 19 species from 10 families namely Meretrix meretrix, M. lyrata, Paphia undulata, Circe scripta, Solen regularies, Solen lamarckii, Pharella acutidens, Amusium pleuronectes, Anadara granosa, Pholas orientalis, Gluconome virens, Placuna placenta, Crassotrea lugubris, Isognomon ephippium, Polymesoda erosa, P. bengalensis, P. expansa, Anadonta woodina and Pilsbryoconcha exilis. The diversity of edible bivalves was found highest in Kuching and Bintulu compared to other divisions studied in Sarawak. The bivalve species at Sarawak could have economic potentiality in terms of protein source, livelihoods of local tribes and economic value. Study suggests that if the high conservation and management of edible bivalve diversity could establish in the coastal and wetland area of Sarawak, a remarkable and vast economic return could achieve

Reproductive cycle of hard clam, Meretrix lyrata Sowerby, 1851 (Bivalvia: Veneridae) from Sarawak, Malaysia

A study of the reproductive cycle of the hard clam, Meretrix lyrata, was documented based on histological observation and Gonad Index (GI). Samples were taken from estuarine waters of the Buntal River in Sarawak, Malaysia. The gonad of M. lyrata started to develop in September 2013. Gametogenesis continued to develop until the maturation and spawning stage from February to April 2014. The GI pattern for a one-year cycle showed a significant correlation with chlorophyll a. The corresponding GI with chlorophyll a suggested that the development of the reproductive cycle of M. lyrata required a high amount of food to increase gametogenesis

Effect of fermented kitchen waste on tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance and water quality as a water additive

Aquaculture contributes about 20% of domestic fish production in Malaysia. Tilapia has been identified as one of the main species for freshwater aquaculture in the Third National Agriculture Policy (DPN3). However, feed cost and water quality management remain as two major challenges to the industry. This study aim to analyse the effects of Fermented Kitchen Waste (FKW) as water additives on water quality and growth performance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Different concentration (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2%) of FKW were used to treat tilapia in tank culture for a period of twelve weeks. Physico-chemical parameters were also taken every week. Treatment with 0.1% FKW resulted in significant (p<0.05) decrease in ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. The survival rates of tilapia treated with 0.05 and 0.1% FKW were comparable to the untreated control. Growth performance of the tilapia was measured in term of length and weight. Highest relative growth rate was observed in tilapia treated with 0.05% FKW. However, all the fish died in 0.2% FKW due to severe pH drop. Therefore, low concentration of FKW could severe as a potential water additive to improve water quality and promote growth in tilapia aquaculture

Bentuk Bantuan Modal Agihan Zakat Asnaf dan Pencapaian Usahawan Asnaf di Malaysia: Kajian Empirikal

Bantuan modal zakat merupakan salah satu bentuk bantuan yang disalurkan oleh agensi zakat di Malaysia bagi membantu golongan asnaf melibatkan diri dalam dunia perniagaan seterusnya merubah kehidupan mereka lebih baik dari sebelumnya. Oleh itu, terdapat beberapa isu yang timbul seperti berlaku penipuan ke atas bantuan yang diberikan, kegagalan usahawan asnaf dalam perniagaan, serta modal yang tidak mencukupi. Oleh yang demikian, kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti bentuk-bentuk bantuan modal yang disediakan oleh Institusi zakat serta mengenal pasti sejauhmanakah pencapaian bantuan modal membantu asnaf dalam perniagaan. Kajian ini telah menggunakan kaedah kualitatif iaitu menemu bual seramai 12 orang informan asnaf dan 5 orang pegawai zakat. Tema yang terhasil daripada persoalan pertama berkaitan dengan bentuk bantuan modal perniagaan ialah bantuan kemahiran, bantuan peralatan dan bantuan kewangan. Manakala tema yang terhasil daripada persoalan yang kedua iaitu pencapaian bantuan agihan zakat, adalah keluar dari kelompok asnaf dan berjaya menjadi pembayar zakat. Secara keseluruhannya hasil dapatan menunjukkan kajian yang dijalankan memuaskan tetapi perlu dipertingkatkan dari segi bantuan modal perniagaan dan pengurusan. Penyelidik berharap agar kajian yang dijalankan dapat membantu institusi zakat dalam mempertingkatkan agihan zakat kepada golongan asnaf serta mempertingkatkan kehidupan mereka ke arah yang lebih baik. Bantuan modal zakat merupakan salah satu bentuk bantuan yang disalurkan oleh agensi zakat di Malaysia bagi membantu golongan asnaf melibatkan diri dalam dunia perniagaan seterusnya merubah kehidupan mereka lebih baik dari sebelumnya. Oleh itu, terdapat beberapa isu yang timbul seperti berlaku penipuan ke atas bantuan yang diberikan, kegagalan usahawan asnaf dalam perniagaan, serta modal yang tidak mencukupi. Oleh yang demikian, kajian ini adalah bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti bentuk-bentuk bantuan modal yang disediakan oleh Institusi zakat serta mengenal pasti sejauhmanakah pencapaian bantuan modal membantu asnaf dalam perniagaan. Kajian ini telah menggunakan kaedah kualitatif iaitu menemu bual seramai 12 orang informan asnaf dan 5 orang pegawai zakat. Tema yang terhasil daripada persoalan pertama berkaitan dengan bentuk bantuan modal perniagaan ialah bantuan kemahiran, bantuan peralatan dan bantuan kewangan. Manakala tema yang terhasil daripada persoalan yang kedua iaitu pencapaian bantuan agihan zakat, adalah keluar dari kelompok asnaf dan berjaya menjadi pembayar zakat. Secara keseluruhannya hasil dapatan menunjukkan kajian yang dijalankan memuaskan tetapi perlu dipertingkatkan dari segi bantuan modal perniagaan dan pengurusan. Penyelidik berharap agar kajian yang dijalankan dapat membantu institusi zakat dalam mempertingkatkan agihan zakat kepada golongan asnaf serta mempertingkatkan kehidupan mereka ke arah yang lebih baik

Body Indices and Population Dynamics of Setipinna breviceps (Cantor, 1849) from Batang Lassa Estuary, Sarawak, Malaysia

The Setipinna breviceps is a commercially important and highly esteemed food fish. This species has scant of scientific formation particularly on population parameters like growth, mortality and recruitment. The present study aimed to estimate the body indices and population parameters of Setipinna breviceps of Batang Lassa Estuary (BLE). Samples were collected between April 2019 and September 2020. A local made bag net known as Gnian (mesh size 1.25 to 4.00 cm) was used for sampling the fish. A total of 287 qualified specimens were used for this study. The length and weight of individual fish was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm and 0.01 g, respectively. The length ranged from 5.50 to 24.00 cm and growth coefficient (b) was 2.563 (R 2 = 0.87) which clearly indicated a negative allometric growth. About 50% of individuals showed flat or slender body (Kn1) while 2.44% of fishes measured an ideal shape (Kn = 1). The parameters of growth L∞, K and ϕ’ were estimated at 24.15 cm, 0.23 yr-2 and 2.13, respectively. The estimated natural mortality and fishing mortality were 0.74 and 0.29 yr-2 , respectively and exploitation rate was 0.28. The recruitment pattern during the study was observed at two possible unequal peaks. The present study concluded that the anchovy was under exploited (E<0.5) as demonstrated by the under-sized fishes caught with small mesh size net. However, considering the minimum lengths and length at first catch, the BLE could be a productive nursery ground for S. breviceps. Therefore, management actions are required to avoid juvenile catches