LKIM Reviewing Fishermen's Association Areas

JERLUN, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) will review the areas of fishermen’s associations to improve the quality of administration and service delivery to fishermen.

LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said the matter will be studied after complaints were received from several fishermen’s associations that faced difficulties in terms of management after the areas under the associations grew too vast.

“There are several fishermen’s associations with very large geographical areas, so sometimes we get information about how administration can be difficult for fishermen in these areas.

“We will review and study to figure out the best and effective solution to improve our service delivery to fishermen, whether we will set up new associations or we only set up units under existing associations,” he told reporters after a gathering with Kuala Jerlun fishermen here today.

He added that these efforts were important to empower the fishermen’s associations, including by conducting various activities to strengthen their economic situation by producing downstream products.

“We want the associations to play an active role and be a medium to add to fishermen’s incomes. Fishermen should not depend merely on fish sales but instead they should be involved in the production of downstream products that can profit them.

“The fishermen’s associations can play a role to help them enter this field as we see many big companies involved in this local fisheries industry, so why can’t the fishermen associations get involved themselves?” he said.

On storms hitting several states, including Kedah, Muhammad Faiz said catches were not affected and LKIM was prepared for the possibility of uncertain weather.

“So far there’s no impact, but we at LKIM are prepared for any weather conditions. We have frozen fish stocks of 1,500 metric tons and we will also work with private companies to ensure adequate supply all the time,” he said.

-- BERNAMA