Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD)

About MFRD
Functions & Activities
Publications

The Marine Fisheries Research Department or MFRD was established in 1969 in Singapore, as one of the SEAFDEC Departments, and responsible for promoting, undertaking, and coordinating research in fisheries post-harvest technology and furthering the development of the fish processing industry in the region.

MFRD also promotes technology-based analytical methods to assess seafood safety and quality, traceability systems for aquaculture products, and develops several manuals used as reference materials by the region’s fish processing industry. Starting in April 2019, the Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC) of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has been designated to serve as the Collaborating Centre to implement MFRD programmes.

MFRD undertakes research and development on fisheries post-harvest and processing technologies to enhance the utilization of fish for human consumption. Its current activities include improvement of the quality and safety of fish and fisheries products by monitoring the chemical, antibiotic and biotoxin residues, promoting the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), among others. Activities towards the establishment of traceability systems for the aquaculture products in the region, have also been carried out.
For more information please contact Ong_Yihang@sfa.gov.sg

Fermented Fish Sauce in Southeast Asia
	In Southeast Asia, one of the methods of utilizing fish is to make it into fish sauce. Fish sauce is widely used as a condiment or as ingredient in cooking to add ‘meat’ flavour to the dishes. The book describes the characteristics and methods for producing the fish sauce.
Southeast Asian Fish Products (Fourth Edition, 2002)
	Fish is a major traditional source of animal protein in the Southeast Asian region. There are many varieties of freshwater and marine fish widely accepted by most people and religions. These products are also available as traditional fish products and are listed in this publication.
Maximizing Utilization of Fish Catch – Marine Species
	Published by MFRD, the book includes a range of value-added products developed from marine fishes in the Southeast Asian region. <<Download>>
Maximizing Utilization of Fish Catch – Freshwater Species
	Published by MFRD, the book includes a range of value-added products developed from freshwater fishes in the Southeast Asian region. <<Download>>
Maximizing Utilization of Pelagic Fish Resources
	The 123-page manual describes the processing of pelagic fish resources, i.e. comminuted products, dried products, fermented products, smoked products and others. Costing for each product category, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for processing of surimi and unwashed minced fish meat from pelagic fish, are also included. <<Download>>
The Application of HACCP in the Fish Processing Industry in Southeast Asia 2000-2003
	The publication includes individual country status reports on the application of HACCP in the fish processing industry and HACCP application for traditional fish products. <<Download>>
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Small and Medium sized Fish and Fish Products Pre-Processing Establishments in ASEAN
	The publication compiles the GMP for selected Pre-Processing Establishment (PPEs) in the ASEAN countries, i.e. Shrimp PPE, Fish Meat/Filleting PPE, Crab Meat Picking PPE, and Shrimp Salting PPE. The process flow diagram, processing steps and GMP for the products are described. <<Download>>
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) for Small and Medium-sized Traditional Fish Products Processing Establishments in ASEAN
	The publication compiles the GMP for selected Traditional Fish Products Processing Establishments (TPEs) in the ASEAN Countries. The TPEs are involved in the processing of traditional fish products such as shrimp paste (belacan, mam tom), fish sauce (nam pla, nuoc mam, ngan pya ye), shrimp sauce (alamang), salted and boiled fish (pindang), fish ball, dried fish (pa heang), dried shrimp, fish cracker (keropok lekor), smoked fish (tinapa) and fermented fish (ngachin). <<Download>>
Laboratory Manual of Standardized Methods for the Analysis of Pesticide and Antibiotic residues in Aquaculture Products
	The books describe the standardized methods for analyzing pesticides, antibiotic residues with the aim of building up and strengthening the regional capability in such analytical testing.
Laboratory Manual of Standardized Methods for the Analysis of Chloramphenicol and Nitrofuran Residues in Aquaculture Products
	The books describe the standardized methods for analyzing Chloramphenicol (CAP) and Nitrofuran (NF), with the aim of building up and strengthening the regional capability in such analytical testing.
Technical Compilation of Heavy Metals, Pesticide Residues, Histamine and Drug Residues in Fish and Fish Products in Southeast Asia 2004-2008
	The 203-page book compiles the baseline information on the current situation of chemical and drug residues in seafood in some Southeast Asian countries. The information is based on the regional surveys undertaken by SEAFDEC/MFRD under the project on “Chemical and Drug Residues in Fish and Fish Products in Southeast Asia”. <<Download>>
Technical Compilation of Biotoxins Monitoring in ASEAN Region 2009-2012
	The publication compiles the results of the biotoxins monitoring surveys conducted by member countries participating in the Japanese Trust Fund II project. The book also describes the recommended methods for biotoxins analysis. << Download >>
Technical Compilation of Traceability Systems for Aquaculture Product in the ASEAN Region 2010-2015
	The publication provides a platform for the sharing of information and experiences among the ASEAN Member Countries on traceability systems, to better enable their aquaculture industries to implement appropriate traceability systems in aquaculture products and to meet international traceability requirements in the network of aquaculture production, marketing, and trade. <<Download>>
Regional Guidelines on Traceability System for Aquaculture Products in the Asian Region
	The Guidelines covers a series of introductory review of the importance of traceability in the aquaculture supply chain as well as the fundamental principles behind traceability that link to the adoption of traceability systems in aquaculture supply chain in the context of the ASEAN region. A generic supply chain of aquaculture products is also included. It highlights points where traceability information is critical as well as the responsibilities of individual stakeholder to ensure that traceability along the supply chain is not broken. <<Download>>
Regional Guidelines on Cold Chain Management of Fish and Fishery Products in ASEAN Region
	Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre (SEAFDEC), under its Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD) Programmes, has initiated and implemented a project on the Cold Chain Management of Seafood from 2015-2018, of which this set of guidelines were developed in close consultation with the ASEANSEAFDEC member countries. The project is in line with the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Resolution (20) and Plan of Action (D58 and D63), as endorsed at the ASEANSEAFDEC Conference 2011. The goals of the project were to create a platform for the ASEAN region to share knowledge, experiences, and cost-effective technologies on the cold chain management of seafood, and to develop a set of guidelines for cold chain management of fish and fishery products to serve as a benchmark for ASEAN Member Countries when developing their own national guidelines. <<Download>>