KUALA NERUS: The country's fish output is expected to decline slightly towards the end of 2026 as some deep-sea fishing vessels in Zone C2 have reduced operations following a sharp increase in diesel costs linked to the global energy crisis.
Fisheries director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said rising operating costs had forced some operators under this zone, which operate in waters more than 30 nautical miles from the coast, to temporarily suspend fishing activities as they could no longer absorb the higher fuel expenses.
"Zone C2 vessels do not receive subsidies unlike fishermen in Zones A, B and C, causing some vessels to be unable to operate due to the sharp increase in fuel prices at present. Thus, we expect there may be a slight decline in fish output by the end of the year as these Zone C2 vessels are not operating," he said.
Speaking to reporters after the World Oceans Day 2026 celebration at Redang Island Marine Park here on Monday (June 8), he said fish landing data showed that C2 vessels catches last March stood at 13,300 tonnes compared with 16,200 tonnes in the same period last year, a decline of about 3,000 tonnes.
"Fish landings stood at about 18,000 tonnes in April, down from 21,000 tonnes in the same month last year, a reduction of nearly 4,000 tonnes," he said.
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Despite the decline, Adnan said the decline in output was not expected to affect the country's overall fish supply as it could be offset by production from vessels operating in Zones A, B and C, as well as the aquaculture subsector.
"Although fish supply is expected to reduce slightly by year-end, it will remain stable and sufficient to meet domestic demand," he said, as the production from the capture fisheries sector continued to average between 1.2 million and 1.4 million tonnes annually.
He said the situation had been felt since March following increases in diesel prices in global and domestic markets due to geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We do not know when this energy crisis will end. Some (C2 vessel) operators are willing to take the risk and continue operating," he said, adding that that the Fisheries Department had not imposed any licence cancellations or licensing restrictions on C2 vessel operators who chose to cease operations temporarily.
Meanwhile, the celebration was also also attended by Wildlife and National Parks Department director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, Terengganu Fisheries Director Pang Nyukang, Aquawalk Group Bhd chief executive officer Daryl Foong and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu's Institute of Oceanography and Environment director Prof Dr Zainudin Bachok. – Bernama
