Malaysia's coastal fisher folk are losing their livelihoods as fish stocks decline

Arrest, robbery, vessel seizure – these are just some of the risks that Malaysia’s coastal fishermen must deal with to make a living now that they are forced to travel further offshore to catch fish.

Maritime and environmental experts blame years of overfishing, destructive fishing practices and poaching by foreign fishermen for the precipitous decline of fish stocks in Malaysia’s coastal waters, and even the disappearance of some fish species.