GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation for Potential Inland Aquaculture Site Selection in the George Town Conurbation, Malaysia

Puteri Nur Atiqah Bandira, Mohd Amirul Mahamud, Narimah Samat, Mou Leong Tan and Ngai Weng Chan
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Puteri Nur Atiqah Bandira: School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Mohd Amirul Mahamud: GeoInformatics Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Narimah Samat: GeoInformatics Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Mou Leong Tan: GeoInformatics Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Ngai Weng Chan: GeoInformatics Unit, School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor 11800, Penang, Malaysia

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Although the aquaculture industry contributes less than 0.2% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Malaysia, it has slowly become an important economic activity due to the high-value species productions for domestic and international markets. In addition, aquaculture can potentially be used as a sustainable solution for food security in the future. At present, the selection of aquaculture sites has not received much attention. Thus, this study aims to integrate a Geographic Information System and multi-criteria evaluation approach in identifying the potential sites for brackish aquaculture in the George Town Conurbation, Malaysia. ArcGIS 10.4 was used to perform site selection analysis together with the essential spatial data such as current land use, environmentally sensitive data, and soil quality that influence suitable sites selection for aquaculture. The selection was undertaken in ad hoc manners based on available land identified by aquaculture operators. The results indicated that the George Town Conurbation has a minimal potential site (0.37%) for aquaculture sites. This minimal number results from the expansion of built-up areas towards urban fringe areas; hence less land becomes available for aquaculture. A reasonable buffer zone should be designated as a boundary between urban development and aquaculture to avoid land-use conflict between these two activities.

Keywords: aquaculture; brackishwater; GIS; MCE; site selection; food security; Malaysia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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