Ministry to take ‘bubu naga’ issue to the cabinet
MANJUNG: The Ministry of Agriculture and AgroBased Industry ( MOA) is considering taking the issue of the increasing use of the ‘ bubu naga’ fish trap in several states to the Cabinet to quickly resolve the problem.
Its minister Salahuddin Ayub said the ministry viewed the issue seriously and would immediately discuss it at the Ministry, Fisheries Department and the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) levels.
“They (those involved) have no licence and are a threat to the fishermen’s income...there could be a cartel or group which is operating illegally.
“If the issue needs stronger action, then I will discuss it in the Cabinet to see if it needs the joint involvement of the Marine Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA) so that the issue is immediately resolved,” he said.
Salahuddin was speaking in a press conference held after an interaction programme with local fishermen in Pantai Remis near here yesterday.
Salahuddin said the bubu naga has been widely used since two years ago in several states like Johor, Kedah, Perak and Perlis and wants the problem to be resolved soon.
On a separate matter, asked about the status of the pukat kenka (trawler nets which have been modified and used by two boats) licences which would end by 2020, Salahuddin said he was waiting for a full report from the Fisheries Department.
“A decision will be made after a full report is obtained from the Fisheries Department because we do not want to be unfair to anyone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Salahuddin advised fishermen, especially those going into deep- sea waters, not to go beyond the maritime borders and be caught by authorities in other countries. — Bernama