Fishermen hope charges at fishery complex maintained

KUCHING: Local Chinese fishermen hope current charges at the new Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority ( LKIM) Tanjung Bako Fishery Complex in Tanjung Bako will be maintained when it is up and running.

While they can accept minor increase in charges, Kuching Kotak Fishermen Association secretary Tan Kok Chiang pointed out that exorbitant charges will put a burden on the fishermen which in turn will be transferred to customers.

“These are the things we don’t want to see happen when we move over to the new complex. And as Sarawakians, we must protect our marine resources as well as our livelihood,” he said.

“More over, we hope communities in Sarawak can continue to enjoy our own fishery and seafood products at reasonable price,” he added.

Tan was met at the LKIM Tanjung Bako Fishery Complex where LKIM chairman Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim led an entourage to inspect the progress of the facility.

On the shortcomings observed at the complex, Tan said that ice box factory must be provided as it will be essential to maintain the freshness of fish and seafood once they land at the complex.

“Other problems we have raised include fuelling procedure, noting that there will be a lot of ships and boats docking here at any one time, so we have to question about the time it will take to queue and refuel.

“Also, there must be safety and security because there are operators with foreign crews as we foresee and expect there will be unavoidable disputes as well as accommodations for them,” he added.

These worries and doubts, Tan pointed out, had already been brought to the attention of the government as well as LKIM in numerous discussions they had held together.

Sarawak United People’s party ( SUPP) Central Youth publicity secretary Milton Foo calls for strong collaboration and communication between LKIM, the government and fishing community to iron out any issues and problems to ensure smooth operation at the new and modern complex.

“Rather than protesting or rebelling against the implementation, we should sit down and talk openly about issues and problems together and find solutions.

“The government has invested so much in the integrated facility to provide a modern and comprehensive facility in order to improve and uplift the fishing community and industry in Sarawak,” he added.

Foo noted that the Bintawa jetty is expected to be closed by end of the month and fishing boats with Class A to C licences will need to utilise the complex soon.

“Chinese fishermen will have their doubts during this transition period because they have already gotten used to the conventional way, having been in the industry for tens of years.

“For instance, fishermen of Bintawa can just go home straight from the jetty after unloading and loading their catch. It is home to them,” he added.

Distance, Foo said, was one of the issues which caused the fishermen to have doubts about moving to the complex as this would lead to increase in operational cost.

“Other than that, they are worried about the numerous other charges to be implemented at the complex and of course there may be other problems which have yet to surface.

“Nevertheless, we will continue to engage the fishermen to hear them out and convey their thoughts and opinions to LKIM if there are shortcomings that need to be improved,” he said.