Opportunities Still Open For New Fishermen Despite Licence Freeze -- Mohamad Sabu

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Opportunities for Malaysians seeking to earn a living at sea as new fishermen remain open although the freeze on fishing licences has been in effect since 1983 to protect the country’s marine resources, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He said that under the Zone A Licence Regularisation Programme, existing licences that have been inactive for more than three years will be revoked, and the quota will be redistributed to eligible new fishermen.

“This approach allows them to continue operating legally without putting additional pressure on the already limited fish resources,” he said in a Facebook post today.

He was responding to a question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar) regarding the process of obtaining licences for small-scale fishermen during the Special Chambers session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohamad said the e-Licence system has also been introduced to facilitate fishermen’s dealings through special service counters at fisheries offices nationwide.

“Through this system, fishermen can apply for and renew their licences more quickly, ensuring they do not miss out on government assistance such as diesel subsidies, monsoon season aid and fisheries community development programmes,” he said.

He added that the government has also reduced the compound rate for minor offences from RM500 to RM100, as a gesture of concern for small-scale fishermen facing financial hardship.

“All these measures are not meant to burden fishermen but to ensure the sustainability of the sea and the continuity of their livelihood,” he said.

-- BERNAMA