Malaysian Department mulls 'crocodile net' ban

New Straits Times 8 Feb 12;

JITRA: The use of "crocodile nets", which have been found to be a threat to marine life may be banned, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Wira Mohd Johari Baharom.

He said the Fisheries Department had been directed through a circular to carry out a study on the enforcement of the ban.

"A crocodile net traps fish, including small ones," he said, when met at a gathering by the National Rice Agency with the Siamese community at Kampung Kota Giam here yesterday.

According to Johari, the crocodile net -- a dragnet that is modified to expand its width and length -- would stay afloat when it was dragged. It was used at night by fishing boat operators in Kedah to avoid being intercepted by the authorities.

He said many boat operators in Kedah had been found using such nets since last year to haul tonnes of small fishes or "fish fertiliser".

"The fish fertiliser is used to make fish food. The ministry will ask fish breeders to find other food sources for their fish." Bernama