TAMBUNAN: The Sabah Fisheries Department continues to strengthen river ecosystem conservation efforts through the presentation of equipment assistance to 10 Tagal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Committees in the Tambunan district.
The ceremony was held at the Mini Hall of the Tambunan Fisheries Office.
The Tagal MOU communities that received the assistance were Kampung Bambangan, Kampung Dabata, Kampung Kaingaran, Kampung Kotonobon, Kampung Kuala Monsok, Kampung Monsok Tengah, Kampung Monsok Ulu, Kampung Monsorulung, Kampung Tabilong and Kampung Tontolob Liwan.
Among the equipment provided to support Tagal management activities were signboards, ice boxes, rubbish bins, solar lights, fishing nets, cast nets, fish feed, canvas mats, plastic chairs, life jackets and safety buoys.
The programme was also attended by representatives from several Traditional Tagal Committees, namely Kampung Kuyungon, Kampung Pahu, Kampung Tikolod, Kampung Rantai Bundu and Kampung Tiga Bundu.
The event commenced with a briefing on the Tagal MOU programme and a question-and-answer session conducted by Bernedeth Joseph, Head of the Sabah Fisheries Tagal Unit.
During her presentation, she explained that the Tagal MOU category comprises Tagal Committees that have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sabah Fisheries Department and represents one of the Department’s initiatives to further strengthen the Tagal system in Sabah.
Through the memorandum of understanding, Tagal MOU Committees are eligible to receive various benefits, including physical infrastructure assistance, management equipment support and opportunities for scientific research collaboration with the Department.
The highlight of the event was an address by Lawrence Kissol Jr, Deputy Director (Operations) of the Sabah Fisheries Department. In his speech, he congratulated and commended all Tagal MOU Committee members for their strong commitment and cooperation in preserving river ecosystems through the effective management of the Tagal system.
He expressed hope that the equipment assistance provided would further support and motivate the committees in strengthening the implementation of the Tagal system in the Tambunan district.
Lawrence later officiated the presentation of equipment assistance to the ten participating Tagal MOU Committees.
The organising chairman of the event, who is also the Tambunan District Fisheries Officer, Dennis Anthony, took the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Deputy Director (Operations), division heads, the Head of the Fisheries Tagal Unit, fisheries personnel, members of the Tagal MOU and Traditional Tagal Committees, as well as all attendees for their support and participation in ensuring the success of the programme.
