PUTRAJAYA: Early measures have been implemented to ensure adequate fish landings during the northeast monsoon season, says the Fisheries Department.
Its director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said this would ensure that fish supply was sufficient.
He said efforts were also being intensified to address any shortfall through aquaculture activities during the monsoon season, which will begin this month until March next year.
“We have 21,000 people involved in aquaculture farming and this will help, to some extent, to address any fish supply shortage.
“Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu had earlier said in a statement that during the monsoon season, the ministry had taken early steps to ensure that fish supply remains adequate,” he said when met at the launch of World Fisheries Day 2024 celebration at Anjung Floria here yesterday.
Adnan said fishing activities in the west coast would continue through the monsoon season as the east coast region would mainly be affected.
“Fishermen in zones A, B and C, as well as C2 from the waters of Perlis until Johor, are still able to operate,” he added.
The local fishing sector is divided into four zones – Zone A (0-5 nautical miles), Zone B (5-12 nautical miles), Zone C (12-30 nautical miles) and Zone C2 (30 nautical miles to the border of the open seas or exclusive economic zones).Adnan noted that the department expected a slight price increase in certain areas due to higher demand and possibly reduced supply.
“If necessary, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, through its agencies, will intervene to reduce any issues,” he added.
On Oct 16, Adnan said the Fisheries Department was monitoring the supply of fish to ensure stability nationwide ahead of an expected decline in fish landings during the transition phase of the northeast monsoon.
He said fish landings were projected to decrease to 91,957 tonnes next month and 88,026 tonnes in January.
However, supplies are expected to rebound in February to 93,845 tonnes, with a further increase to 111,259 tonnes in March.
Separately, Adnan said the department saw a slight decrease in activities related to illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, including the intrusion of foreign fishing vessels into national waters.
“They still occur, particularly in the South China Sea near Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, as well as in the Strait of Malacca, and in the waters of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Fisheries Department is working to amend the Fisheries Act 1985 to address the matter. This involves stricter penalties and allows better control to prevent intrusion,” he said.
Adnan said the department would continue its collaboration with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, marine police, navy, Foreign Ministry and the National Security Council to address matters related to maritime borders.
