Sabah may reactivate fish-bombing eradication team

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will consider reviving a special committee that looks into curbing fish-bombing, which continues to be a challenge for state authorities.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the fish-bombing eradication committee became dormant during 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 fry into the Likas Bay here yesterday.

“We can do it anytime,” said Kitingan, who is also the state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister.

Sabah Fisheries Department director Azhar Kassim said efforts have been on-going to combat the activity.

“The incidents have gone down due to the operations we have carried out.

“We have just conducted a statewide operation with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency on IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing, which includes fish blasting.

“It is under control,” Azhar said, adding that the fish-bombing eradication committee used to come under the state Tourism Ministry, but his department would consider taking over the body.

“It is still under discussion,” he added.