Transportation and acclimation optimisation of wild marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata Bleeker, 1852)

The Marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata Bleeker) is usually found in freshwater bodies. Due to its high commercial value and demand, it is farmed in cages and pond systems. Marble goby fish are preferred to be freshly killed and processed upon request in Asian restaurants. Currently, there are some challenges faced by fishermen who wish to transport live fish to restaurants or markets due to the traditional method of using water tanks as carriers. These water tanks are usually very heavy and bulky, increasing transportation costs. Furthermore, coping with the survivability of fish post-transportation has proven to be a challenge. This study was aimed at investigating the semi-dry method for fish transport and acclimatization of fish after transport in different tank sizes. In the semi-dry, where fish were covered using a towel transportation method where the survival rate at ~92%. For the acclimation experimental group, stream water was found to be the most appropriate type of water for rearing the marble goby fish, which demonstrated a conspicuous survivability rate of ~83%. whereas, for adaptation, marble goby fish from the wild had a faster adaptation rate in smaller spaces like aquariums as compared to large ‘stock tanks.’ To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that will provide a better understanding of the transportation method, acclimation conditions, and habitat that can lead to a reduction in the mortality rate during the marble goby transit processes

An assessment of the Edu-Tourism @UKMlivinglab Package test-run

An edu-tourism package has been developed which encompassed nature-based tourism at the natural living laboratories of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). With the theme “From Mountain to the Reef”, this package comprised of tourism module based on the natural ecosystem of respective living laboratory of UKM, involving four natural habitats; highland, lowland, freshwater and marine. In order to assess the effectiveness of the module, we have distributed a set of questionnaire to the participants during the test-run, involving all the living lab facilities. This pilot study involved 13 participants from various academic background, enrolling either as undergraduates or postgraduates study at UKM. The result of the questionnaire showed positive feedbacks from the participants for both the learning modules, as well as the overall program. There were however, several room of improvements to be made from the feedbacks. This package is expected to be marketed locally and internationally for students and public, in order to generate revenue for the university and stakeholders. This project has proven to be research translated to the community through the empowering of the human capitals (staffs and local community) through the living laboratory facilities