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Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Fisheries Department is working on both short and long-term plans to boost fish catch in Marudu Bay, where unpredictable weather conditions has led to fewer fish caught. 

Assistant Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Hendrus Anding said the department is offering fuel subsidies to encourage fishermen to explore new areas with more fish. 

Additionally, the department is regulating fishing methods by issuing licences and monitoring fishermen’s activities. 

He said this in response to a question from Bandau Assemblyman Datuk Wetrom Bahanda during the State Legislative Assembly sitting, here, on Tuesday.

Hendrus also said that a short-term strategy being implemented by Ko-Nelayan is providing microcredit financial funding under the Fishermen’s Income Enhancement Programme, known as the Fishermen’s Assistance Scheme (i-Nelayan).

“Starting from 2021 until now, 12 fishermen in Marudu Bay, 29 fishermen in Pitas and Pulau Banggi have joined i-Nelayan programme.

“This financial funding programme has successfully increased the income of these fishermen by at least 30 per cent,” he said.

For long-term strategies, he said, the department is implementing the Marine Fisheries Development and Services Programme, which delivers up-to-date information on the capture fishing subsector to fishermen.

This programme also offers various advisory services, courses, and on-site training to fishermen.

“The next long-term strategy is the implementation of the Socio-Economic Transformation Programme for Fishermen and Poor/Very Poor Farmers, the Local Fishermen Income Enhancement Programme, and Coastal Fishermen Assistance.

“These programmes target registered Heads of Very Poor Household (KIRT).

“The package offered includes courses and a set of fishing equipment such as insulated fish boxes, fibreglass boats, outboard engines and nets.”

Additionally, he said, the Demersal Fisheries Resource Conservation Project and the Development and Management of Fisheries Resources through the Construction of Fish Aggregating Devices in Sabah are long-term strategies to increase the biological productivity of waters through the creation of artificial fish aggregating devices.

“The next long-term strategy is the implementation of the Pelagic Fisheries Resource Enhancement Project, which provides assistance in the form of fish collecting equipment to fishermen,” he said.

Aside from that, he said that the banned fishing operation areas for commercial fishing vessels had been implemented to control the exploitation of fisheries resources.

“Regular patrols are also conducted to monitor and supervise the waters, especially local commercial fishermen’s incursions.

“Punitive measures including fines will be taken against fishermen who encroach on these areas.”

He said that Ko-Nelayan also implements a long-term strategy by providing training and utilising the Sabah Mobile Artisanal Remote Technology (e-Smart) application for fishermen in Marudu Bay to expand fishing accessibility through satellite technology.