Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, through the Faculty of Fisheries Science and Aquaculture, organized the Knowledge Transfer Program on the Conservation and Sustainability of Giant Freshwater Prawn Resources in conjunction with UMT Sustainability Day 2026 on 28 April 2026 at Dataran Batu Putih, with active participation from the local community.
The program, conducted in collaboration with the UMT Sustainable Management Centre, aimed to increase public awareness of the importance of conserving giant freshwater prawns as a high-value aquatic resource, while also providing exposure to sustainable inland fisheries resource management practices.
A total of 30 participants from the inland fishing community of Gong Beris took part in the program, which also served as a platform to strengthen strategic relationships between educational institutions, government agencies, and local communities in efforts to preserve the nation’s aquatic resources.
The giant freshwater prawn is a freshwater species with high economic value and serves as an important food source for local communities. However, the species population is increasingly threatened due to overfishing, pollution, and degradation of natural habitats. Therefore, the organization of this knowledge transfer program is seen as a proactive step in ensuring the continued sustainability of these resources.
The program was officiated by Professor Ts. Dr. Noor Maizura binti Mohamad Noor. In her speech, she emphasized that efforts to preserve giant freshwater prawn resources require continuous commitment from all parties, including institutions, related agencies, and local communities, so that the benefits can be inherited by future generations.
Also present were Professor Dr. Najiah binti Musa, Associate Professor Dr. Chia Poh Wai, Mr. Pang Anak Nyukang, and Mrs. Maidatul Suhana binti Muhammad.
Among the main activities of the program was the release of 40,000 juvenile giant freshwater prawns into the waters of Sungai Dataran Batu Putih as an effort to help restore the species population in its natural habitat. In addition, participants attended knowledge-sharing sessions related to giant freshwater prawn conservation and sustainable aquatic resource management.
The organization of this program successfully increased community awareness of the importance of conserving aquatic resources, encouraged sustainable fishing practices, and strengthened cooperative relationships between institutions and local communities in ensuring the continued sustainability of giant freshwater prawn resources.
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu menerusi Fakulti Sains Perikanan dan Akuakultur telah menganjurkan Program Pemindahan Ilmu Pemuliharaan dan Kelestarian Sumber Udang Galah bersempena sambutan Hari Lestari UMT 2026 pada 28 April 2026 di Dataran Batu Putih dengan penglibatan aktif komuniti setempat.
Program yang dijalankan dengan kerjasama Pusat Pengurusan Lestari UMT itu bertujuan meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat terhadap kepentingan pemuliharaan udang galah sebagai sumber akuatik bernilai tinggi, selain memberi pendedahan mengenai amalan pengurusan sumber perikanan darat secara lestari.
Seramai 30 peserta daripada komuniti perikanan darat Gong Beris telah menyertai program berkenaan yang turut menjadi platform memperkukuh hubungan strategik antara institusi pendidikan, agensi kerajaan dan masyarakat setempat dalam usaha memelihara sumber akuatik negara.
Udang galah merupakan spesies air tawar yang mempunyai nilai ekonomi tinggi dan menjadi sumber makanan penting kepada komuniti setempat. Namun, populasi spesies tersebut semakin terancam akibat aktiviti penangkapan berlebihan, pencemaran serta kemerosotan habitat semula jadi. Sehubungan itu, penganjuran program pemindahan ilmu ini dilihat sebagai langkah proaktif dalam memastikan kelestarian sumber berkenaan terus terpelihara.
Program berkenaan telah dirasmikan oleh Profesor Ts. Dr. Noor Maizura binti Mohamad Noor. Dalam ucapan beliau, usaha memelihara sumber udang galah memerlukan komitmen berterusan daripada semua pihak termasuk institusi, agensi berkaitan dan komuniti setempat agar manfaatnya dapat diwarisi oleh generasi akan datang.
Turut hadir ialah Profesor Dr. Najiah binti Musa, Prof. Madya Dr. Chia Poh Wai, Encik Pang Anak Nyukang serta Puan Maidatul Suhana binti Muhammad.
Antara aktiviti utama program ialah pelepasan sebanyak 40,000 anak udang galah ke perairan Sungai Dataran Batu Putih sebagai usaha meningkatkan semula populasi spesies tersebut di habitat semula jadi. Selain itu, peserta turut mengikuti sesi perkongsian ilmu berkaitan pemuliharaan udang galah dan pengurusan lestari sumber akuatik.
Penganjuran program ini berjaya meningkatkan kesedaran komuniti terhadap kepentingan pemuliharaan sumber akuatik, menggalakkan amalan perikanan lestari serta mengukuhkan hubungan kerjasama antara institusi dan masyarakat setempat dalam usaha memastikan kelestarian sumber udang galah terus terpelihara.