KPKM Strengthens Sport Fishing To Boost Coastal Incomes, Drive Tourism Growth

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) is committed to strengthening sport fishing as a high-impact economic segment to increase the income of coastal communities and boost the country’s tourism sector.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the Department of Fisheries (DOF) is implementing several integrated initiatives in partnership with various ministries and agencies.

One of them is the digitalisation of management through the DOF e-Rekreasi System, a national platform for registering recreational anglers, collecting participation data and monitoring fish landings at major fishing spots.

“The system helps enhance governance and facilitates the development of fishing-related tourism products,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to Senator Datuk Prof Emeritus Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman, who asked about joint measures with other ministries to promote recreational fishing in rivers, lakes and marine waters as part of tourism promotion initiatives.

Mohamad said resource conservation and ecosystem enhancement activities are being carried out at key recreational sites to maintain sustainable fish stocks, including the release of fish and prawn fry in selected rivers, lakes and marine waters.

A programme to deploy recreational artificial reefs is also being implemented to create new habitats and increase the appeal of fishing sites.

“This year, 4.7 million fish fry and 13.4 million giant freshwater prawn fry have been released, while 185 recreational artificial reefs have been installed,” he said.

Mohamad added that cross-ministry training and certification programmes are being introduced to raise industry professionalism, including in safety, resource conservation and compliance with recreational fishing regulations.

“These programmes involve several ministries and agencies such as the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, the Youth and Sports Ministry, local authorities, boat operators, tour guides and local communities,” he added.

He noted that this integrated approach can generate new employment opportunities and stimulate downstream services such as boat rentals, accommodation, seafood offerings, fishing equipment supply and tour guiding, enhancing sport fishing’s potential as a competitive niche tourism product regionally.

“The government is confident that these measures will not only attract more tourists but also strengthen local economies through job creation, rising demand for fishery products and the growth of downstream activities including seafood services, boat rentals, lodging and guide services,” he said.

-- BERNAMA

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