PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) is set to amend the Fisheries Act 1985 [Act 317] comprehensively to better regulate aquaculture activities and enhance biosecurity measures, ensuring the protection of the nation’s fishery resources.
DOF director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain, said the detailed amendments, which cover various aspects of the fisheries sector, are expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat later this year.
"These amendments will address issues such as illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU), Port State Measures (PSM), Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), marine protected areas, aquaculture, biosecurity, expansion and the Fisheries Impact Assessment (FIA),” he told Bernama in a recent interview.
He added that the Cabinet, on April 24, approved in principle the proposed amendments. The bill is expected to be tabled during Parliament’s session from Oct 7 to Dec 5.
Adnan emphasised the importance of collective cooperation among stakeholders to effectively combat illegal fishing and eliminate IUU activities.
Adnan said the DOF has spearheaded the establishment of the National IUU Main Committee and the IUU Working Committee to combat IUU fishing. These committees involve various enforcement agencies, including the Sabah Fisheries Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, and the Marine Police Force, working together to address the issue.
"Malaysia is not exempt from the threat of IUU fishing by both local and foreign vessels. This is a complex, multi-dimensional problem that requires a strategic and multi-faceted approach. It begins with strengthening our monitoring efforts," said Adnan.
So far this year, 510 arrests have been made for violations under the Fisheries Act 1985, resulting in fines totaling RM355,584, including RM75,263 from auctions and RM280,321 from compounds.
Adnan also highlighted the DOF’s key role in promoting the aquaculture sector, particularly marine aquaculture, to support Malaysia’s blue economy goals.
The National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) outlines strategies to enhance food security by developing the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
"The DOF is actively pursuing initiatives to achieve its blue economy goals, which focus on the sustainable development of marine resources and fisheries, including responsible management of fishery resources," he said.
He said the department is implementing various conservation and management programmes to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks in Malaysian waters, including the enforcement of laws against IUU fishing.
"We are promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture techniques that reduce ecosystem impact while improving the quality and safety of aquaculture products," he said.
In managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Adnan said the DOF collaborates with various agencies and local communities to protect marine biodiversity, critical habitats, and key fish breeding areas.
As part of its commitment to the blue economy, the DOF is also involved in efforts to reduce plastic pollution in oceans by running education and awareness campaigns for fishermen and local communities on the dangers of plastic waste to the marine ecosystem.
Adnan added that the DOF is also encouraging the adoption of modern technologies like satellite monitoring and geographic information systems (GIS) to enhance the management of fisheries resources and marine areas.
"These innovations help us detect ecosystem changes early allowing for more effective resource management," he said.
In addition, Adnan stressed the importance of local community involvement in conserving fisheries resources through programmes such as myKomuniti Perikanan (myKP) and myAgropreneur Perikanan (myAP), aimed at engaging fishermen and local communities in managing these resources.
"To reduce reliance solely on fishing, DOF encourages income diversification through eco-tourism and aquaculture activities, which helps ease the pressure on fish stocks while boosting local economies,” he added. - Bernama
