All South-East Asian nations must join hands and engage China to stem huge losses from illegal fishing

Overlapping territorial and maritime disputes prevent effective enforcement of domestic fishery laws as well as disrupt cooperation amongst regional states particularly at the southern tip of the heavily contested South China Sea. - Photo from Reuters

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29: Malaysia must work with fellow Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) member states and China to put a stop to the staggering losses the country is suffering from illegal fishing in its waters, according to an analyst.

Abdul Razak Ahmad said that recent revelations that Malaysia is losing billions a year due to illegal fishing must engage the countries where these illegal fishing vessels originate from and secure its exclusive economic zone, including in the South China Sea, not only to ensure food security but also to protect the livelihoods of its citizens .