PORT DICKSON, 25 September 2025 – The International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB), successfully implemented the Collaborative Crab Restocking Program along the coastal area near I-AQUAS Port Dickson.

The program marks the official launch of the “Crab Bank Program”, a long-term incentive initiative that encourages fishermen to return berried female crabs for breeding in hatcheries before being released back into their natural habitats. This initiative aligns with PDB’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitment and UPM’s sustainability agenda to conserve marine biodiversity and support the development of the nation’s blue economy.

The event involved the participation of 110 PDB staff, 28 I-AQUAS staff, five local fishermen, and two representatives from the Port Dickson Fishermen’s Association (PNK). The launch ceremony was officiated by Prof. Dr. Murni Marlina Abd Karim, Deputy Director of I-AQUAS, together with Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fikri Abdullah, Head of the Aquatic Ecosystem and Management Laboratory, I-AQUAS.

Also present were Mr. Norazlan B. Ismail, PDB representative, and Mr. Rusli Abd Aziz, Chairman of MyKP Bagan Pinang Fishermen, who expressed appreciation for the strategic collaboration. Support was also extended by Mr. Nor Aiman Ong bin Abdullah and Mr. Navindran A/L Govenden, representing the local fishing community through PNK Port Dickson.

As a symbolic highlight of the program, 30,000 juvenile blue crabs were released into their natural habitats — part along the I-AQUAS coastline and the rest offshore using five boats to ensure balanced ecological distribution.

The event also featured the symbolic handover of crab traps (“bubu ketam”) to four local fishermen, signifying the start of the Crab Bank Program. Participants also visited an aquaculture exhibition, attended a knowledge-sharing session titled “From Hatchery to Sea: Larval Breeding and Blue Crab Stock Enhancement” delivered by Dr. Clement Roy de Cruz, and took part in a hands-on session on crab handling conducted by Mr. Ahmad Anuar Zainal.

Concluding with a networking lunch session, the program successfully strengthened ties among industry partners, researchers, and the local fishing community.

Through the implementation of the Crab Bank Dashboard and continuous post-program monitoring, I-AQUAS and PDB will assess the scientific and social impacts of this initiative transparently and effectively — in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water.

Date of Input: 29/09/2025 | Updated: 09/01/2026 | nurulainramli