In a news report it is found that fishermen in the eastern states of the Asian peninsula are using satellite technology to track fish and improve their haul. Rahim informed that fish landings totalled some 1.3 million tonnes in 2007 and the amount is expected to increase to 1.4 million tonnes by next year with the assistance of the RM12mil fish forecasting system (FFS).
It is informed that the satellite system is scheduled to be implemented next April. The FFS is jointly developed by various agencies spearheaded by MIMOS Bhd which yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement with the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM).
It is told that the system uses a combination of traditional knowledge as well as the latest in computer and satellite technology. It will benefit fishermen in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and East Johor. For Sabah, Sarawak and the north of the peninsula a similar fish forecasting system would be developed from next year. The FFS was developed using the knowledge of experienced fishermen; oceanography and acoustic data as well as information on fish catch and landings to be provided by LKIM.
MIMOS president and chief executive Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdullah opined that the forecasting system would also cut down by between 20 percent and 40 percent the time needed for fishermen to locate fish. He added that this platform is developed by MIMOS including artificial intelligence and grid computing to develop the FFS.
