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Malaysia Fisheries Chief Emphasizes Sustainable Practices for Marine Resource Conservation

MALAYSIA
Monday, February 10, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

PUTRAJAYA – Datuk Adnan Hussain, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia, has urged the fishing community to adopt environmentally responsible practices, including the use of sustainable fishing technologies, adherence to closed seasons, and respect for catch size limits, to ensure the long-term health of marine resources.   

Hussain stressed the importance of these measures in mitigating pressure on fish stocks and promoting the reproduction and recovery of marine species.

Mr.Datuk Adnan Hussain -->

The DOF is actively developing and promoting environmentally friendly fishing gear, such as trawls equipped with turtle excluder devices (TEDs), which minimize bycatch.  "The DOF is providing training and awareness programs to educate fishermen on the importance of sustainable fishing gear, along with technical support and incentives to encourage adoption," Hussain told Bernama.

With 112,344 registered fishermen nationwide, enforcement against destructive practices is a priority. The DOF is working with other agencies to prohibit gear like "bubu naga" fish traps and utilizing technology such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for real-time tracking of fishing activity.  The DOF also promotes advanced technology like sonar, echo sounders, GPS, and Fishing Site Identification (FSI) to improve fishing efficiency while preventing overfishing.   

Hussain emphasized the critical role of the fishing community in conservation efforts.  Fishermen are actively involved in managing fishing zones, including marine protected areas (MPAs), and monitoring activities to ensure regulatory compliance. "Local fishermen act as our 'eyes and ears' at sea, reporting illegal fishing, prohibited gear use, and other threats to fish stocks," he said.

To further reduce pressure on capture fisheries, the DOF is promoting alternative economic opportunities such as aquaculture and marine ecotourism.  Hussain concluded that effective management strategies are essential for restoring and maintaining healthy fish stocks, in line with sustainable development principles.

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