RM7.8 MILLION ALLOCATED TO ADDRESS ENCROACHMENT OF FISHING AREAS BY MELAKA, NEGERI SEMBILAN FISHERMEN - MOHAMAD SABU

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The government views the issue of encroachment of fishing areas between fishermen from Melaka and Negeri Sembilan seriously, as it not only concerns legal compliance but also the sustainability of marine resources and harmony within the fishing community.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said RM7.8 million has been allocated this year to strengthen the implementation of monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) systems, including better coordination of enforcement operations.

“In coastal waters, Zone A covers up to five nautical miles, Zone B extends to 12 nautical miles, and Zone C refers to deep-sea areas. These zones must be managed comprehensively to ensure effective control of fishery resources in our coastal waters,” he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

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He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Wu Him Ven on the steps and mechanisms taken to address frequent encroachment between fishermen from the two states.

Mohamad added that the government is also intensifying fishing management efforts in coastal areas and collaborating with state governments to expand marine parks and no-take zones to support the replenishment of fish stocks.

Preventive measures will also be strengthened through continuous advocacy, education on designated fishing zones and wider dissemination of information to the fishing community to reduce conflicts at sea, he said.

According to records from the Malaysian Fisheries Department, a total of 137 arrest cases were recorded in Melaka and 14 in Negeri Sembilan for various offences under the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) between 2021 and 2025.

On the latest status of the Fishermen’s Economic Transformation Project through Aquaculture (TEMAN-AKUA Programme), Mohamad said 22 eligible fishermen have so far been identified to receive assistance in the form of equipment and aquaculture inputs, involving an estimated allocation of RM500,000.

Of the total, 10 participants are from Perlis, five from Negeri Sembilan and seven from Melaka.

“The assistance also includes training, technology transfer, technical capacity building and advisory services to ensure participants can operate aquaculture projects sustainably and viably,” he said.

-- BERNAMA