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Joint operation against trespassers prevents RM6b loss in fish catch

The "Operasi Naga" (Operation Dragon) initiated in April last year, prevented a loss of about RM6 billion in fish catch, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

The combined effect of the operation and amendments to the Fisheries Act 1985, passed in Parliament on July 9, provided stiffer fines and also resulted in RM560 million in savings, in reference to fish catch brought onshore and the auctioning of seized boats.

The operation was jointly undertaken by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Home Affairs, Defence and Foreign Affairs ministries.

In an interview with Bernama recently, Salahuddin (photo) said a total of 211 vessels were detained while five others were sunk for the purpose of serving as fish breeding structures, and as a result of these efforts, this prevented a loss of some RM6 billion in fish catch.

He said the sea ecosystem had also been saved from further damage by the activities of foreign fishermen who had been sailing in Malaysian waters with impunity, using illegal fishing equipment.

"We want to solve the predicament faced by local fishermen whose livelihoods have been depleted by foreigners fishing in Malaysian waters illegally and damaging our ecosystem.

"All assets have been used to protect our waters from trespassers. This was a big issue when I joined the ministry in 2018, with fishermen complaining about all sorts of things including trespass by foreign fishing vessels," he said.

Of the 211 vessels detained, 148 were detected in Peninsular Malaysia waters, 41 in Sarawak and 22 in Sabah.

The amendments to the Fisheries Act which have given much-needed teeth to enforcement activities include an increase in the maximum fine to be imposed on the owners or captains of vessels found trespassing, from RM1 million to RM6 million, as well as a fine of RM600,000 compared to RM100,000 previously, on each crew member.

Salahuddin, who is also Pulai MP said the Fisheries Act enabled his ministry to issue licences to fish in high seas, particularly for tuna fishing in the Indian Ocean, an industry which Malaysia is exploring further.

He said tuna fishing currently undertaken, yields a total catch of about 30,000 metric tonnes a year, with an estimated value of RM300 million.

So far, about 19 such licences have been issued to entrepreneurs who have fulfilled the relevant criteria such as the possession of modern vessels and equipment, while approximately 200 more will be issued over the next two to three years.

The licence-holders will be required to bring their catch onshore, in several places such as Langkawi, Penang and Tanjung Pelepas in Johor, he added.

On other matters, Salahuddin said his ministry was targeting to establish between 15 and 20 new fishermen's markets this year, in a bid to enable fishermen to sell their produce directly to consumers, thus obviating the need for middle-men.

There are currently 129 fishermen's markets across the country patronised by 558 entrepreneurs. - Bernama

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