Kota kinabalu: The cockle industry in Sabah has the potential to generate RM34.4 million annually, based on an estimated landing of 3,240 tonnes per year and a 7.6-fold return on investment, as stated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Recognizing this potential, the state government has launched the Sabah Shellfish Resource and Industry Development Project. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hajiji highlighted that the initiative aims to stimulate local economic growth through shellfish products and create new export opportunities via downstream activities such as canning, shellfish sambal, and other shellfish-based food products. "For the private sector, this is the best time to invest in seafood processing, sustainable packaging, and building Sabah's export chain," he noted during the project launch. The launch was attended by the chief executive officer of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA), Datuk Seri Hashim Paijan. Hajiji emphasized the alignment of this project with the state government's commitment to positioning the Blue Economy as a key economic pillar for Sabah, aiming to leverage marine and maritime resources to bolster the state's status internationally. "The Blue Economy not only aims to balance prosperity with sustainability, but by 2030, the global value of the blue economy is expected to reach US$3 trillion," Hajiji stated. He detailed that the collaborative project between SEDIA, the Malaysian Fisheries Department, and the Sabah Fisheries Department is being executed in two phases. The first phase, which has concluded, involved mapping studies and exploration of shellfish resources from October 2024 to May 2025 at potential sites, including Tuaran and Beluran, which served as pilot project locations. The second phase, commencing in 2026, will focus on technology transfer and field implementation, with 77 farming lots identified-12 in Tuaran and 65 in Beluran, spanning 1,617 hectares. Hajiji, who is also the chairman of SEDIA, elaborated that each lot will b e managed by 10 heads of households, resulting in 770 main beneficiaries, including fishery entrepreneurs, rural communities, and members of the bottom 40 per cent (B40) income group. "Even if only 40 per cent of the lots operate optimally, participants can still earn a monthly income of around RM4,800 to RM6,500," he explained, emphasizing the project's potential to provide sustainable income through shellfish farming. He also stressed that the project will train youth in modern aquaculture, fostering a new generation of Sabah marine entrepreneurs and bringing substantial improvements to participants' lives, alongside broader benefits to the environment and the state economy. Hajiji highlighted that Sabah will be developed as the ASEAN Blue Ocean Seafood Hub, rivaling major producing states such as Perak, Penang, and Selangor. The state government is committed to supporting this industry through ongoing training and the provision of modern technology to project participants.