LABUAN: Powered tug boats equipped with strong gears are blatantly encroaching on the fishing grounds of local traditional fishermen and hauling away with good harvest affecting the livelihood of hundreds and at the same threatening to deplete fish stock in the zone.
Describing the activities as an open disregard to fishing regulations, Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman said the matter is serious and needed to be stopped immediately.
He urged the Department of Fisheries (DOF) step up surveillance.
Suhaili, who boarded a boat “Parlimen Labuan” accompanied by a few local fishermen said he was investigating on the fish “thefts” following complaints of serious illegal fishing along Labuan shores from Kiamsam to the Batu Manikar stretch.
He noted that during his inspection from 2.5 nautical miles (NM) from the shores he even spotted a fishing trawler anchored in the area.
According to Marine regulations fishing within the 3 nautical miles was reserved for local fishermen who rely on traditional methods and are issued permit by the DOF.
Under the same regulations bigger boats were prohibited from fishing in this zone. For commercial fishing the boats had to go beyond the 3nm limit.
Breach of fishing licence condition could have serious consequences including confiscation of boat.
.jpg)
