Kuala Lampur, Sept. 10 -- Every morning, long before the sun rises, thousands of fishermen across Malaysia head out to sea to secure the nation's seafood supply. They work in challenging conditions, facing unpredictable weather and rising costs. Yet when they return to shore with their catch, the income they receive does not always reflect the value of their hard work.

A significant share of the value generated along the fisheries supply chain remains with intermediaries. For many small-scale fishermen, the challenge today is no longer simply catching fish. It is getting their catch to the right market, at the right price, while ensuring a fairer share returns to them.

Malaysia has more than 8,840 kilometres of coastline and abundant ma...