Malaysia's Labuan Unveils Tuna Satay, First Product Under Downstream Fisheries Sector

LABUAN (Sabah, Malaysia), Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's federal territory Labuan has introduced tuna satay, the first such product in Asia, as part of the government's efforts to develop the downstream fisheries industry. The tuna-based satay, which has penetrated the local market since August this year, will be available in the peninsula beginning December this year. Master Moon Tuna manager Suzanna Ahmad said the idea to create satay from tuna fillet was mooted by the Labuan Fisheries Department (LFD). "We are creating a product that can help sell Labuan's name especially in the local market. Since we started producing the products, we have received an overwhelming response," she told a press conference after the launching of the Young Agropreneur in conjunction with MyDof Media organised by the LFD here Monday. She said under the guidance and collaboration with LFD, Master Moon Tuna would produce downstream products every six months such as tuna fish ball/fish cake, tuna oblong and burger tuna fillet. "In terms of nutrition, tuna is comparable with egg, chicken meat and beef, with low cholesterol and rich in vitamin A and protein," she said. Suzanna said the company was in the process of obtaining halal certification from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia to enable it to penetrate countries in Asia and the Middle East. "We are participating in the upcoming Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (MAHA 2016) in December, and we will bring 25,000 to 30,000 sticks of tuna satay as part of our nationwide promotion," she said. Meanwhile, LFD director Anuar Salam said the total tuna landing in Labuan was about four tonnes daily, out of which three tonnes are for export and the remaining for local consumption. "The upstream sector is favourable, we are now developing the downstream industry with tuna satay, the first product that will developed further," he said. "We will provide support to this venture as we believe that the fisheries sector can offer added value to our economy. This is also in line with the government's efforts to see the fisheries industry carry out the downstream sector effectively," Anuar said. He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry had allocated some US$166,445 (RM700,000) to his department for the development of the fisheries downstream industry. --BERNAMA