Boat Licensed to Catch Anchovies

By Halijah Mat Sin

THE Department of Fisheries refers to the letter from H.Z.A. on the alleged fishing activities by trawlers at the Pangkor Island Beach Resort bay (“Stop unlawful trawling” – NST, Dec 18).

In addition to a reply on the matter by Capt Abdul Razak Lebai Omar from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (“They’re operating legally” – NST, Dec 24), the department would like to confirm that the vessel in the photo provided by H.Z.A. is a purse- seiner boat used for anchovy-fishing and not a trawler.

The Department of Fisheries has issued licences to eight of these boats to fish for anchovies around Pulau Pangkor. They have been given permission to operate in Zone A (in waters less than five nautical miles from the shore) as anchovies are pelagic fish normally found near the shore areas.

The department has its own enforcement division to safeguard the fisheries resources and to ensure the fishermen adhere to the Fisheries Act 1985.

We have also established good networking with other enforcement agencies such as the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the marine police and the navy.

The public may also contact the department’s operation control centre at 03-88704058 to report any illegal fishing activities.

HALIJAH MAT SIN

for the director-general of Department of Fisheries

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