KOTA KINABALU: Sabah intends to revive a special committee to curb fish bombing incidents, which continue to challenge the state's authorities.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the fish bombing eradication committee became dormant following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Yes, it has been inactive, so we will reactivate this committee," he said after leading a ceremony to release sea bass fries into Likas Bay on Thursday (June 27).
"We can do it anytime," added Kitingan, who is also the state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister.
He said the move was being considered as fish blasting cases were still taking place in Sabah.
Sabah Fisheries Department director Azhar Kassim said efforts had been ongoing to combat the activity.
He acknowledged that such cases were still happening in the state.
"But the incidents have gone down due to the operations we have carried out.
"In fact, we just conducted a statewide operation with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing, which included fish blasting.
"This means we are serious about the matter, but it is under control," Azhar said, adding that the authorities were carrying out land and sea operations to curb the issue.
He added that the fish bombing eradication committee used to come under the state tourism ministry, but his department would consider taking over the body.
"But it is still under discussion," he said.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew had in February said she would speak with the Sabah Fisheries Department to check on the status of the committee.
Liew said more serious action is needed to address the issue, which was still rampant, especially in the Semporna east coast district.
Kitingan had informed the Sabah state assembly in April that 117 operations were held on land and sea by the authorities to tackle fish bombing activities in the state between 2021 and March this year.
