LABUAN, April 28 (Bernama) -- The Labuan International Sea Challenge 2026 kicked off today with the flag-off of 224 anglers for its Deep-Sea Fishing Competition at the Labuan Public Marina.
Labuan Corporation (LC) chief executive officer Rithuan Mohd Ismail officiated the ceremony, marking the start of one of the five main events lined up for this year’s LISC.
The participants departed for three designated fishing zones, namely the waters of Terumbu Ubi, Terumbu Siput, and the waters between Pulau Layang-Layang and Terumbu Semarang Barat Besar.
Of the 224 participants, 198 are competing in the group category, forming 66 teams of three, while 26 others are taking part in the individual category.
A total of 169 participants are Malaysians, while 55 are international anglers from Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the United States, Australia and Indonesia.
Among Malaysians, 95 are from Sabah, 15 from Labuan, 10 from Perak, eight each from Sarawak, Selangor and Penang, seven from Kedah, five each from Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan.
LC said special approval had been obtained from the National Security Council for the competition to be held within the designated waters of the Semarang Peninjau cluster, subject to strict conditions and regulations.
The competition offers total cash prizes of RM75,000, along with DAIWA fishing gear for winners.
The competition will be closely monitored by relevant enforcement agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Navy, Marine Police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and other relevant enforcement agencies.
Participants have also been reminded not to catch or bring back protected fish species, including the humphead wrasse, locally known as ikan maming.
Catches will be landed at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex on May 3, followed by an auction, with the prize-giving ceremony to be officiated by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui on the same day.
-- BERNAMA
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