Fishermen appeal for firmer action against foreign poachers

PEKAN: More than 50 fishermen around Kuala Pahang and Pasir Panjang here have appealed to the authorities to act more firmly against foreign fishermen who they claimed used trawlers to poach in Malaysian waters.

The fishermen, who have lodged a report on the matter at the Pekan Police headquarters, said their source of income was jeopardised by these foreign fishermen whose trawlers also damaged their fishing gear.

A spokesman for the fishermen, Rosli Ahmad, 44, said they had suffered huge losses due to the encroachment by the foreign fishermen.

“If this situation continues, our livelihood will be badly affected, particularly for those of us who have to support children at school,” he said to Bernama after making the police report on Friday.

Another fishermen, Mohamad Isa Abdul Mubin, 43, of Kampung Pasir Panjang, appealed for frequent enforcement patrols to prevent trespassing by the foreign fishermen, especially from Vietnam.

Zuhari Samat, 48, said fishermen from other areas of the country also encroached onto their fishing grounds and frequently damaged their fish traps.

“We have been facing lost or damaged fish traps almost daily. The traps are not cheap. They cost between RM250 and RM400 each, depending on the size,” he said. — Bernama