Small-scale fisheries often find themselves at a crossroads between survival and the need to adapt to current changes, particularly when dealing with sensitive marine resources such as jellyfish. In Sarawak, jellyfish harvesting activities are not only an important economic source for coastal communities such as those on Pulau Bruit, but are also closely linked to a growing regional export market.
However, behind this potential, local fishermen have long faced constraints in terms of operational efficiency, damage to catches, and reliance on traditional methods that are no longer relevant to the needs of modern industry. It is within this context that a local innovation known as the Sarawak Jellyfish Collection Device (SAJECD) was developed by the Bintawa Fisheries Research Institute (FRI Bintawa)—an effort that reflects a problem-solving approach grounded in real field conditions.
The SAJECD innovation was featured in the 2020 Malaysia Department of Fisheries Innovation Awards Competition and was specifically designed to help fishermen collect jellyfish more efficiently by attaching the device to the end section of fishing nets. According to Mohammad Hafiz bin Hassan from FRI Bintawa, this innovation aims to reduce physical damage to jellyfish, save operational time, and reduce dependence on labour during fishing operations. https://youtu.be/68E4Hxc2ZxY
This statement aligns with FRI Bintawa’s innovation documentation, which states that SAJECD is installed at the “cod end” of the net to improve the efficiency of catch collection. This approach clearly demonstrates that the innovation is not merely theoretical but was developed based on a thorough understanding of fishermen’s actual operations.
Damage to jellyfish during harvesting is not a minor issue, as it directly affects the commercial value of these marine products. In the jellyfish industry, physical quality is critically important because these products are typically processed and exported to international markets such as China and Japan. Studies on the global jellyfish industry indicate that inconsistent product quality, including physical damage, can undermine buyer confidence and trade value.
This demonstrates that the challenges faced by fishermen in Sarawak are part of a broader issue within the global industrial supply chain. Furthermore, the jellyfish industry in South and Southeast Asia has reportedly been expanding since the early 2000s, with significant increases in catch volumes and exports, thereby making this sector an alternative economic source for small-scale fishermen.
In the local context, the traditional use of jellyfish purse nets often results in high damage rates due to pressure and friction during the collection process. Field study data show that conventional methods record jellyfish breakage rates of up to 51%, compared to only 18% when using SAJECD. This difference is not only statistically significant but also has a direct impact on fishermen’s income, as more products can be sold in good condition. Additionally, operational time can be reduced from two (2) hours to one (1) hour, a highly meaningful saving in the context of fishermen’s daily operations, which depend on weather and seasonal factors.
The importance of innovations like SAJECD becomes even clearer when viewed in the context of changing marine ecosystems and pressures on traditional fisheries resources. Scientific studies indicate that human activities such as pollution, coastal development, and overfishing can affect jellyfish populations, including risks to ecosystem balance and the potential extinction of certain species if not managed sustainably. At the same time, there are also reports that in some ecosystems, jellyfish populations are increasing and replacing fish as the dominant species due to pressure on fish stocks. This phenomenon shows that jellyfish are not only an economic resource but also an important indicator of ecological change, thus requiring more systematic and innovative management approaches.
In this regard, SAJECD is not merely a harvesting tool but represents a form of technological intervention that supports industry sustainability. By reducing catch damage, fishermen do not need to excessively increase catch volumes to achieve the same income, thereby helping to reduce pressure on resources. Furthermore, its simple design and production cost of approximately RM100 to RM150 make it accessible to small-scale fishermen, aligning with the need for high-impact yet low-cost innovations.
Information from national innovation platforms also confirms that SAJECD has commercialization potential due to its easily manufacturable design that can be self-installed by fishermen, in addition to helping increase catch volumes per operation. This indicates that the innovation possesses high scalability and replicability, two (2) important factors in ensuring that an innovation achieves widespread impact.
However, the success of innovations like SAJECD depends not only on technology itself but also requires continuous support from management and policymakers. The role of institutions such as FRI Bintawa and the Department of Fisheries Malaysia is crucial in ensuring that this innovation can be expanded through training, technology transfer, and incentives for fishermen. Without such support, high-potential innovations like SAJECD may remain limited to small scales despite proven effectiveness.
Overall, SAJECD exemplifies how locally developed innovations based on genuine needs can serve as practical solutions to industry problems. It not only improves operational efficiency and catch quality but also contributes to the economic sustainability of fishing communities and better management of marine resources.
References:
1. (2026). Youtu.be. https://youtu.be/68E4Hxc2ZxY
2. Department of Fisheries | Institut Penyelidikan Perikanan (FRI) Bintawa – Academia.edu. (2025). Academia.edu. https://fisheries.academia.edu/Departments/Institut_Penyelidikan_Perikanan_FRI_Bintawa/Documents
3. Brotz, L. (2016, January 1). Jellyfish fisheries of the world. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312492419_Jellyfish_fisheries_of_the_world
4. Karunarathne, A. D., & Karunarathne, K. D. (2025). Jellyfish fisheries in southern Asia. Aquatic Living Resources, 38, 8. https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2025005
5. Chuan, C. H., Venmathi Maran, B. A., Yap, T. K., Cheong, K. C., Syed Hussein, M. A., & Saleh, E. (2021). New Records of Cubozoan and Scyphozoan Jellyfish from Sabah Waters, Malaysia. Diversity, 13(9), 420. https://doi.org/10.3390/d13090420
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