Kuala lumpur: The government is taking decisive action to address the encroachment of fishing areas by fishermen from Melaka and Negeri Sembilan, a move that not only ensures legal compliance but also aims to preserve marine resources and maintain harmony within the fishing community. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu announced a RM7.8 million allocation this year to enhance the monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) systems, focusing on better coordination of enforcement operations.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Sabu emphasized the importance of managing the designated fishing zones-Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C-comprehensively to ensure effective control of fishery resources in coastal waters. He addressed these concerns during an oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, responding to Senator Datuk Wu Him Ven's inquiry on mechanisms to curb frequent encroachments between fishermen from the two states.
The government is also intensifying efforts in coastal fishing management and collaborating with state governments to expand marine parks and no-take zones, aiding in the replenishment of fish stocks. Preventive measures, including continuous advocacy, education on designated fishing zones, and broader dissemination of information to the fishing community, are set to be strengthened to minimize conflicts at sea.
Records from the Malaysian Fisheries Department highlight 137 arrest cases in Melaka and 14 in Negeri Sembilan for offences under the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) between 2021 and 2025. In addition, Mohamad Sabu provided an update on the Fishermen's Economic Transformation Project through Aquaculture (TEMAN-AKUA Programme), revealing that 22 eligible fishermen have been identified to receive assistance involving an estimated allocation of RM500,000. This support, aimed at ensuring sustainable and viable aquaculture projects, includes training, technology transfer, technical capacity building, and advisory services, with participants hailing from Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka.