MIRI: Miri Fishermen Association has backed the suggestion by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to deport foreign fishermen who carry out fish bombing.
Chairman councillor Jamali Basri said the illegal method would drastically destroy the fishing industry in Sarawak.
“Illegal fish bombing activities are a short-term method that will destroy marine life. Therefore local fishermen must not use these tactics,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He claimed local fishermen do not use bombing, poisoning or electricity to catch fish.
There must be serious enforcement on land and sea to curb illegal activities, which could endanger and even destroy the income of local fishermen, he said.
Jamali called on the authorities to monitor the Miri-Sibuti coral reefs, including near sunken ships in Kuala Baram and Miri for illegal activity.
He said more surveillance and enforcement is necessary to stop foreign fishermen in small boats particularly at night and also called for stiffer penalties for those caught.
Meanwhile, a local diver — who declined to be named — said some of the local coral reefs had been destroyed.
He said foreign fishermen are very good at fish bombing as they use the method in their home country.
“Action must be taken fast by the authorities as our coral reefs are some of the best in Southeast Asia and even the world,” he said.