ALOR SETAR: Only 15 per cent of 1,273 deep sea fishermen nationwide are using the Fishing Site Identification (FSI) System since it was launched in 2011.
FSI project manager Raja Bidin Raja Hassan said although 93 per cent of fishermen have registered for the FSI system, the level of usage is still low.
The Fisheries Department research officer said this is because many fishermen still use the old method of locating fish gathering areas and artificial reef to increase fish yields.
Raja Bidin said he had urged fishermen associations and those involved in the fisheries sector to encourage the fishermen to use the FSI system to make ensure higher catches.
“By using the FSI system, the fishermen can reduce operating costs and shorten the time spent on locating fish gathering areas.
“With the FSI system, the fishermen will receive SMS on fish gathering areas before going out to sea,” he said at the FSI Application programme for west coast fishermen here, yesteday. — Bernama