Johor’s Cockle Estate Project Earns MBOR Recognition

MUAR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The Program Tuaian Serentak Projek Estet Kerang Negeri Johor 2026 made history after being recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for the largest simultaneous cultured blood cockle harvest, marking a historic milestone for the state’s shellfish sector.

Johor Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the programme, coordinated by the State Department of Fisheries with fishing communities across seven locations in Pontian, Batu Pahat and Tangkak districts, successfully harvested eight tonnes of fresh cockles.

He said that of the total harvest, about 4.25 tonnes were distributed free to the public, while 2.75 tonnes were sold by the project participants.

Zahari said the Johor State Cockle Estate Project was a strategic initiative by the state government, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, to empower fishermen in Zone A of Johor’s west coast through planned cockle farming, thereby providing a more stable and resilient source of income.

“The state government in 2023 approved 93 lots, each measuring 30 hectares, at a temporary change of licence (LPS) rate as low as RM50 per hectare,” he said in a Facebook post today.

According to Zahari, the project had shown encouraging progress, with 17 lots developed by 2025 involving 137 participants and 11 new lots approved in 2026 involving 49 fishermen.

He said that to ensure the continuous implementation of the project, more than RM2 million had been allocated since 2023, including RM300,000 this year for bottom cleaning, seeding, exposure visits and farmer training, in addition to the provision of post-harvest equipment and facilities.

Zahari said the initiatives had yielded positive outcomes, with total production rising to 676.9 tonnes worth RM4.84 million, an increase of 67 per cent compared to 2024, and that the 2026 target had been set at 815 metric tonnes.

He said that, in line with the Johor Maju Agenda emphasised by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the project was expected to contribute to increasing the state’s aquaculture production, boosting the local economy, and positioning Johor as the National Shellfish Production Hub.

“Various downstream activities such as agrotourism and the shellfish-based food industry also have the potential to be developed.

“Therefore, the state government is calling on more fishermen in Zone A of the West Coast of Johor to participate in this project and seize the opportunities provided to enhance their income and skills in the aquaculture industry,” he said.

-- BERNAMA