Considerations for Fish Farms Production Quotas

Ms Valerie Lee asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what are the considerations that SFA takes into account when establishing fish production quotas for fish farms, specifically offshore fish farms or kelongs; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider measures to help struggling kelongs; and (c) if so, what measures can be implemented to aid them.

As a small country, Singapore faces competing demands for its limited land and sea space. Space set aside for farming has to be used productively and sustainably. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) requires all fish farms, including kelongs, to meet production targets to ensure that farms optimise food production while operating sustainably within environmental limits.

While fish farms tend to be large-scale sea- or land-based systems that farm fishes in high volumes, kelongs are small-scale platforms in coastal waters that capture fishes from the wild. Kelongs have faced declining fish catch since the 1960s which led to the then-Primary Production Department to stop issuing new kelong licences in 1965.

SFA will continue to partner with all farmers who are keen to increase their productivity. For instance, SFA encourages and supports the adoption of technology through the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation Fund and helps farms strengthen their biosecurity to prevent and control diseases through the Aquatic Animal Health Services. SFA account managers regularly engage farms to understand their needs and provide appropriate support.