Kuala Lumpur: The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) plans to modernise the local fishing industry by increasing the number of Class C and C2 fishing vessels, which will assist in curbing foreign fishermen’s encroachment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil stated that the limited number of Class C and C2 vessels had left the country’s waters unoccupied by local fishing boats, exposing them to threats or encroachment. He added that deep-sea fishermen would act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the authorities to help monitor and address encroachment.

Muhammad Faiz emphasized that without large fishing vessels around, encroachment becomes easier, and some foreigners exploit this vulnerability. He mentioned that besides increasing the number of fishermen out at sea, LKIM would also request the government to enhance asset strength for better surveillance and control of the waters.

He further explained that local fishermen needed to support the industry by upgrading their vessels through loans, which LKIM would facilitate. He mentioned that Agrobank, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, would provide the necessary capital in the form of loans to assist fishermen in making this transition.

Class C and C2 vessels are utilized by deep-sea fishermen operating 15 nautical miles off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Straits of Melaka) and 30 nautical miles from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as from Sabah and Sarawak up to the border of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).