Formulation of aquaculture development at an ox-bow lake in Malaysia. I. Technical evaluations of site suitability

Abstract

Regular flooding causes erosion in Teluk Intan, a town situated along Perak River (Malaysia). A project team commissioned by the Perak State Government recommended deviating and channeling the river to form a series of ox-bow lakes. Two bunds would bund-off a portion of the river, isolating a 210 ha water body with potentiality for fisheries and aquaculture development. This paper summarizes the technical evaluations on site suitability. A prognosis of the post-impoundment conditions at the lake was attempted. The hydrological and hydraulic engineering input requirements to monitor and control the quality and quantity of the water were explored and recommended to augment the success of proposed aquaculture projects. There were freshwater fish cage cultures (fixed-type and floating-type), capture fisheries integrated with livestock aquafarm, fish and prawn hatchery, and shrimp culture areas.