Sports anglers cannot wet their lines during MCO 3.0, fishing only allowed as a livelihood

GEORGE TOWN: The question of whether or not anglers may wet their lines during the movement control order (MCO) 3.0 has been answered - you can only go fishing if it is your livelihood.

During the MCO in February, the Fisheries Department announced strict standard operating procedure (SOP) for up to two sports anglers to go fishing within their districts in lakes, rivers, ponds and at sea.

But this time around, the National Security Council specified in its latest SOP, dated May 10, that only fishing as a livelihood is allowed.

A spokesman for the state department confirmed on Wednesday (May 12) that the SOP for recreational fishing announced in February was no longer valid.

"All forms of sports and recreation are not allowed in MCO 3.0 except for jogging, cycling and exercising on an individual basis for health reasons.

"So fishing as recreation is not allowed and only those who need to fish because it is their livelihood can do so," said the spokesman.

Many sports anglers, fly-fishers and boat charter operators were seen posting queries to the department on social media about whether or not they could carry out the activity during MCO 3.0.