Protect EEZ at all costs, Zahid tells agencies
Encroachment by foreign fishing vessels must be stopped at any cost, says Zahid
FOREIGN fishing vessels encroaching on the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone are stealing marine resources worth between RM3 billion and RM6 billion annually. The deputy prime minister wants marine enforcement agencies to stem the haemorrhage.
THE government has directed maritime enforcement agencies to protect the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from encroachment by foreign fishing vessels at all costs.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said encroachment by foreign vessels had led to massive losses in revenue and threatened the security of the country.
“We lose between RM3 billion and RM6 billion a year to illegal fishing. I want all agencies to intensify enforcement to protect our resources.
“This includes eye-in-the-sky surveillance to check encroachment on the Straits of Malacca and in the 200 nautical miles radius within our EEZ,” he said after launching the Gelombang Nelayan Nasional 2017 programme in Kuala Kerteh.
Zahid said fish resources were an important source of income for fishermen and protein for the nation, and it was not fair for foreign fishermen to steal them.
“I want local deep-sea fishing vessels not to encroach within the five nautical miles boundary where coastal fishermen operate. They must respect the approved zones where they are licensed to operate. This is important.
“In addition, all deep sea fishing vessels operating near boundaries must install the automated identification system so that enforcement agencies are kept abreast of their locations in case they are caught by the agencies of other countries. The system is also to enable rescue missions in case of accidents at sea.”
In an exclusive report in July, the New Straits Times highlighted the theft of marine resources by foreign vessels that had encroached into Malaysian waters.
In the report, Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Ismail Abu Hassan revealed that 980,000 tonnes of seafood worth up to RM6 billion was lost due to illegal fishing activities by foreign fishing vessels annually.
He said 1,162 foreign vessels valued at RM81.3 million were seized from 2004 to April this year. A total of 7,634 crew members of foreign vessels were also arrested between 2006 and February this year.
Zahid said he was happy with the turnout of nearly 12,000 fishermen, including from Sabah and Sarawak, at yesterday’s programme.
“You are the unsung heroes who provide the nation with this source of protein. This event is a manifestation of the strong bond between the government and the fishing community. It also reflected your appreciation of government assistance.
“As such, you deserve protection. I want all related agencies not to wait for instructions to protect our fishermen from being robbed of their income by foreign fishing vessels,” he added.
He also flagged off a parade of 700 coastal fishing boats. Fish, fruits, plants and livestock were sold to the public at below market prices. Some stalls gave demonstrations of how fish traps and nets were made.