By Amanda L
KUCHING, June 20: Areas surrounding the Baleh Dam will be developed to cultivate empurau breeding grounds as part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to leverage infrastructure for high-value food production, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to him, the initiative involves rehabilitating river ecosystems near the dam by planting specific tree species along the banks to provide natural food sources for the empurau, a prized freshwater fish endemic to Sarawak.
“By restoring these natural habitats, the State aims to boost the wild breeding and commercial output of the species, which is widely regarded as one of the most expensive freshwater fish in the country.
“Our objective is to restore the riverbanks surrounding the Baleh area by introducing specific tree species that will serve as natural feeding sources for the empurau population,” he said this during the SKAS walkabout and grand opening of Farley Garden here today.
This environmental restructuring is expected to anchor a sustainable, long-term supply of empurau for export markets while maximising the economic yield of the region’s river networks.
The dam project reflects an emerging blueprint in Sarawak’s aquaculture sector where large-scale infrastructure is increasingly paired with ecological management to drive agricultural growth.
To illustrate the viability of this approach, the Premier pointed to the commercial success of tilapia farming at the Batang Ai hydroelectric dam where fish raised in fast-flowing currents have gained strong international market acceptance and established a lucrative export pipeline.
“Tilapia from Batang Ai is now a favourite in Singapore because it tastes better compared to fish raised in some ponds,” Abang Johari noted, adding that this consumer preference demonstrates how optimising natural ecosystems can elevate the quality and market value of local exports.
The State government intends to replicate this framework across other energy assets, continuing to explore high-value agricultural opportunities to run alongside its core investments in energy, infrastructure and the green economy. — DayakDaily
