SANDAKAN: With its abundant marine resources, Sandakan is well-positioned to grow into a major hub for seafood processing and production.
Alex Thien Ching Qiang, State Assemblyman (ADUN) for Tanjong Papat, urged more locals to get involved in seafood processing and downstream fisheries activities.
By doing so, he believes they can make better use of available resources to build a distinct Sabah seafood brand and access global markets, helping put Sandakan’s seafood on the international map.
He shared these views following a meeting and discussion with officials from the Sandakan Fisheries Department and fellow ADUNs from the Warisan Party on Tuesday.
Also in attendance were Calvin Chong Ket Kiun (Elopura), Alex Wong Tshun Khee (Karamunting), Lisa Alban (Sungai Sibuga), along with representatives from the Gum-Gum and Sekong constituencies.
Thien emphasized that Sandakan’s rich fisheries offer strong potential for expanding into value-added sectors of the industry.
He encouraged local entrepreneurs to make use of support programs offered by the Fisheries Department—such as aquaculture initiatives, fisherfolk development schemes, and seafood processing training—to move beyond traditional fishing and into areas like processing, packaging, branding, and marketing.
This shift, he said, would enhance the value of local seafood and help establish a recognizable brand from Sabah.
“While we have an abundance of high-quality seafood in Sandakan, we still don’t have a strong, widely recognized brand that gives our products identity at home or abroad,” he noted.
He pointed out that countries like Japan are globally known for premium seafood brands, particularly crab.
Sandakan, he added, also has unique crab varieties and excellent marine produce that could be developed into signature products with the right focus.
