Longer subsidised diesel wait worries fishermen

Kota Kinabalu: Fishing boat owners here are growing anxious after their much-needed subsidised fuel for fishermen did not arrive the last 10 days. Kota Kinabalu Fishing Boat Owner Association President Simon Hong said diesel supply normally was at hand between two and three days due to an existing shortage.

But the unusual longer wait this time is fast becoming burdensome to the owners who depend on the fishing season to earn a better income, he said.

Not just that, a new monthly quota set by the authorities is also forcing them to run their boats on a limited supply of fuel, he added.

A total 140 fishing boats, excluding coastal fishing vessels, would regularly queue at the Sabah Fish Marketing (Safma) and Sepanggar jetties for the subsidised diesel, priced at 45 sen lower than commercial retail prices at RM1.65 a litre.

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"Some of the operators had already decided to use the commercial rate diesel prices to go out fishing and they are already running a higher cost of operation," said Hong, adding that if the situation continues they may revise their fish prices to ensure a marginal profit.

Hong said this during a press conference on the government subsidised diesel fuel meant for the fishing industry and its shortage issue, here, Wednesday.

According to him, the quota had also been revised lower with now the authority-in-charge only providing fuel based on the boat's engine capacity.

"Normally, our boats require around 20,000 to 30,000 litres a month, but with the new cap we were only to take around 12,000 to 20,000 litres a month," he said.

Hong said as a result, fishermen had to queue at the two jetties more often as they are running on a limited fuel supply, adding that they may opt for commercial rated diesel to meet their needs and ramp up their operational costs.

The quota is controlled by the Fishermen's Co-operative (Ko-Nelayan) at jetties while the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) controls fishing boat quota.

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"We may have to push the cost down to the fishmongers who will pass it down to the consumers if the situation continues," said Hong, adding that the fishermen depend on the fishing season to earn a better income.

He said only from April to July were they able to earn more due to more landings, compared to any other month where the profit was much lower. - Jason Santos

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