Registration of ‘Tagal fishermen’ plan
Published on: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
By: Ricardo Unto
“Another initiative is implementing the Tagal System and increasing the number of Tagal areas aimed at effectively managing fish populations and increasing catch yields,” Jeffrey said.
THE Sabah Fisheries Department is implementing various initiatives to boost inland fishery efforts that are seen as having the potential to enhance the local economy, especially for rural residents, said Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Jeffrey, who is also Agriculture and Food Security Minister, said among the initiatives undertaken is registering inland fishermen in Sabah to facilitate the Government in planning and formulating programmes related to their economic growth.
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“Another initiative is implementing the Tagal System and increasing the number of Tagal areas aimed at effectively managing fish populations and increasing catch yields,” he said to a question by Telupid Assemblyman Datuk Jonnybone Kurum at the State Legislative Assembly sitting.
“Furthermore, the implementation of ecotourism Tagal also aims to increase community income through ecotourism activities.”
Additionally, he said, the Sabah Fisheries Department is also channelling incentive-based initiatives under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), namely the Community Empowerment Programme’s aquaculture sub-sector for freshwater aquaculture communities.
“The assistance provided includes a set of tilapia fish farming equipment, including high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tanks, canvas, polyethylene (PE), glass fibre, piping systems, water pumps, fish seeds, and fish feed.
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“In 2023, a total of 25 communities (each community comprising two freshwater fish farmers from the same village) were provided with incentive-based assistance in 13 districts, namely Kota Belud, Telupid, Keningau, Sook, Tambunan, Ranau, Sipitang, Papar, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Kota Marudu, and Pitas,” he said.
He also said the Fishermen’s Cooperative (Ko-Nelayan) is implementing initiatives to boost inland fishery efforts by implementing the Fishermen’s Assistance Scheme (i-Nelayan) under the Fishermen’s Income Enhancement Programme.
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“This scheme provides microcredit financing for the purpose of purchasing boats, outboard engines, fishing equipment including GPS devices and other fishing gear.
“Another initiative implemented by Ko-Nelayan is the Aquaculture Entrepreneur Assistance Scheme (i-Akuakultur) aimed at assisting qualified inland fishermen interested in becoming freshwater fish or shrimp farmers.
“This target group is also provided with a comprehensive hands-on upskilling course at the Ko-Nelayan Aquaculture Training Centre (KATC), Tuaran, to enhance their knowledge and technical skills in fibreglass boat construction, outboard engine maintenance, fish and shrimp breeding, and farming,” he said.
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