KOTA BHARU: As of July this year, 13 foreign fishing boats have been disposed after they were seized for encroaching Malaysian waters, Deputy Agriculture and Food Industry Minister II Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi said.
He said the seine boats and trawlers were sunk as a warning to foreign fishermen not to intrude into the country’s waters and wantonly poach Malaysia’s fish.
He said the boats were dumped into the sea to become artificial reefs which would in turn act as a nursery for fish fry and breeding ground for marine life.
“Encroachment by foreign fishing vessels is a major concern to the ministry as this has a negative impact on the Malaysian fishing industry and the economic losses is estimated to be worth RM6 billion a year.
“As such, the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry (Mafi) through the Fisheries Department is committed to conducting an integrated operation in collaboration with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Marine Police Force (PPM) to stop intrusion of foreign boats, especially in the waters off the east coast, “ he told reporters after witnessing the sinking of three Vietnamese fishing boats off Kuala Besar here.
The three seized boats were disposed according to rights under the Fisheries Act 1985, he said.
Che Abdullah added that with the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2019 approved by Parliament, the maximum fine for a captain or owner of a foreign vessel caught trespassing into Malaysian waters has been increased to RM6 million from RM1 million while the penalty for every crew member too has risen from RM100,000 to RM600,000.
“The Malaysian government is committed to the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and through the establishment of IUU Main Committee and Working Committee at the national level, efforts to combat IUU fishing activities have been intensified.
“In addition the Regional Plan Of Action (RPOA-IUU) to promote responsible fishing practices has enhanced and strengthened the overall level of fisheries management especially in the Asean region,” he said. — Bernama