A. Azim Idris New Straits Times 23 Feb 12;
MEETING DEMAND: 12 anchor companies get permits to go big on tapping sea resources
PUTRAJAYA: MALAYSIA still possesses untapped fishing resources off the coast of Sabah and Sarawak which will allow the target of 500,000 tonnes of yield by 2020 to be achieved in a sustainable manner.
Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Ahamad Sabki Mahmood said the target was within the economic sustainable yield.
It would not affect the breeding grounds for commercial fish, therefore, avoiding a major depletion of the fish population, he added.
Ahamad said there were areas that enjoyed exclusive economic zone status such as off the coast of Labuan, where large deposits of tuna and other pelagic fish were relatively untouched.
Proper harvest would allow the population to be replenished, he said, adding that this was among the reasons why they had appointed several deep-sea fishing companies in recognition of their contribution to the industry.
"This is to encourage them to make bigger investments, and to allow us to work closely with them in issuing permits so that they can optimise their catch," he told a press conference after presenting appointment certificates to 12 anchor companies at the department's headquarters in Wisma Tani, Precinct 4, near here, yesterday.
For last year, he said the landing of marine fish was 1,421,766 tonnes, worth RM7,857.85 million, out of which 325,274 tonnes, worth RM1,635.95 million, were caught by deep- sea vessels.
"The landing of deep-sea fish is crucial in meeting the country's increasing protein demand as an alternative to fish supply from shallower waters which has been optimised."
There are currently 1,348 licensed deep-sea vessels operating, compared with only 258 by the end of the 1980s.
The companies were selected based on their success in catching more than 80 per cent of fish from the deep sea, which Ahamad said was not "an easy feat".
"There is much space left with-in the 200 nautical miles of theeconomic exclusive zone and these companies play a big role in achieving the 500,000-tonne target."
He said the target was not only for domestic consumption, but also for export.
However, Ahamad said there were challenges faced by the department, such as unregistered foreign vessels, which illegally encroached into the country's waters.
"We are working closely with these companies and the Maritime Enforcement Agency to monitor the situation and to protect our resources."
He added that the department had taken stern action against 308 operators, who had abused their licence, by revoking their permits.
