Fisheries Act 1985 Amendments To Focus On Increasing Fine, Protecting Marine Habitat

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- The amendments to the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317) which are expected to be tabled at the Dewan Rakyat sitting starting July 21 will focus on strengthening existing regulations, including increasing fines for violations of fisheries regulations.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the amendments, among others, involve efforts to strengthen protection for marine parks and impose stricter controls on the use of fishing gear such as dragon nets which can destroy habitats and fish spawning sites.

"This act is mostly to strengthen existing enforcement including tighter survelliance of waters. Many new policies are being advocated by stakeholders for amendment.

"The existing fines are also lower when compared to Indonesia and Thailand. Therefore, this amendment will coordinate and strengthen the enforcement aspect," he said at a press conference after officiating the 40th Annual General Meeting of the National Fishermen's Association (NEKMAT) here, today.

He said the amendment also involves a ban on fishing and preliminary inspection of fish caught in polluted waters to ensure food safety.

"The same goes for the ban on the sale of turtles. This will be detailed in the amendment to the act to ensure that the species does not become extinct," he said.

According to Mohamad, the draft amendment was completed as a result of discussions with all stakeholders including elected representatives and players in the fishing industry.

He said the first reading of the amendment to the act would be done at this sitting, while the second reading is expected to take place in August.

-- BERNAMA