(Source:  Illisriyani Ismail, 2025)

 

The perception of Malaysian society towards sustainable aquaculture product production shows two different perspectives: an increasing awareness of the importance of environmental conservation, but at the same time, there are still several barriers to shifting towards more sustainable and eco-friendly methods, such as implementing aquaculture methods based on Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP) or nature-based aquaculture (NbA). Studies have found that although the public is becoming increasingly aware of environmental and health issues related to traditional or conventional aquaculture methods, acceptance of aquaculture products from more sustainable methods is still in its early stages. Methods such as fish farming combined with seaweed cultivation, polyculture systems, and practices under GAqP, such as the use of safer fish feed, better waste management, and water quality monitoring, are beginning to receive attention. Although still new, societal acceptance of these products is gradually becoming more open.

The public plays a vital role in promoting sustainable aquaculture practices, as their decisions to accept and buy, or to reject specific aquaculture products can significantly influence the industry. A study by Leng et al. (2020) highlights that with increased awareness and access to reliable information, the public is willing to prioritise food safety and support sustainably farmed aquaculture products. This demonstrates great potential for certified aquaculture products to gain consumer trust, provided that labelling is done transparently and safe farming practices are ensured. Therefore, it is essential to continue strengthening public education, promoting eco-friendly labelling, and enforcing the best aquaculture management standards to ensure this industry remains a safe and reliable source of protein for households in Malaysia.

However, this acceptance is still limited by several constraints. A large portion of society remains very price-sensitive and tends to prioritise cost and availability over sustainability features. Conventional aquaculture products remain the primary choice due to their lower price, indicating that economic factors can limit the transition to GAqP or NbA products. Furthermore, there remains confusion and a lack of knowledge about the quality differences between farmed and wild fish, despite studies indicating that well-managed fish farming also produces comparable nutritional and safety results (Goh et al., 2023).

From a market perspective, this situation indicates a growing market space for sustainable and nature-based aquaculture products, particularly among environmentally and health-conscious consumers. A study by Roslina et al. (2023) reveals that an increasing number of consumers are willing to pay a premium for products that comply with GAqP, provided that clear labelling and trust in certification systems are established. This opens opportunities for producers to add value and differentiate their products through sustainable approaches.

This evolving societal perception has significant implications for market strategies and national policies. Efforts to enhance public education about sustainable aquaculture products, such as those produced through GAqP or NbA practices, can strengthen transparency through certification and ensure the affordability of sustainable products, thereby accelerating public demand for greener options. These measures align with government policies that promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, supporting the country's goals for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation through environmentally friendly and nature-based aquaculture approaches.

In conclusion, although public acceptance of sustainable aquaculture products is optimistic yet cautious, targeted interventions can change their perception towards more sustainable and eco-friendly aquaculture products.

 

Note: This article is part of an ongoing study titled "Climate-Adaptive, Inclusive, Nature-based Aquaculture (CAINA) in Malaysia and Solomon Islands," funded by WorldFish (also known as the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, ICLARM).

 

Reference:

Goh, E. V., Azam-Ali, S., Mitra, S. R., & McCullough, F. (2023). Consumer perception versus scientific evidence of farmed and wild fish: insights from Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Energy, 11(2), 82–99. https://doi.org/10.36782/apjsafe.v11i2.226

Leng, S. T. K., Weng, C. N., Tan, M. L., Wee, S. T., & Samat, N. (2020). Consumer Awareness and Acceptance of Aquaculture Practices and Products in Penang, Malaysia. In N. Samat, J. Sulong, M. Pourya Asl, P. Keikhosrokiani, Y. Azam, & S. T. K. Leng (Eds.), Innovation and Transformation in Humanities for a Sustainable Tomorrow, vol 89. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences (pp. 730-741). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2020.10.02.68

Roslina, K., Rozana, S., Soon, J.-J., Musa, R., & Nur Amin, N. A. (2023). Consumers' preference and willingness-to-pay for GAqP-compliant farmed fish produce: Evidence from Malaysia. Aquaculture, 568, 739305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2023.739305

 

By: Syahaneem Mohamad Zainalabidin (ITAFoS, UPM) dan Illisriyani Ismail (Centre for Policy Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia

 

 

Date of Input: 29/07/2025 | Updated: 29/07/2025 | noorbaiti