KUALA LUMPUR: Coastal fishermen could see their catches and earnings decline if the anticipated El Niño phenomenon brings extreme heat, potentially pushing fish further offshore and beyond the reach of small-scale fishing boats.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said prolonged hot weather could disrupt fishing activities, particularly for coastal communities that rely on nearshore waters for their livelihoods.
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He said the government expected El Niño conditions to persist until April next year and had increased allocations under Budget 2027 to help coastal fishermen cope with the anticipated effects.
“When temperatures reach 40°C, fish may move further out to sea, making it difficult for coastal fishermen to secure their catches during the El Niño season. This is what we anticipate,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
However, Mohamad did not disclose the amount of additional funding set aside for fishermen affected by the phenomenon.
His remarks follow a warning by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) that a potentially record-breaking Super El Niño could drive temperatures above 41°C between March and May 2027, exceeding Malaysia’s recorded high of 40.1°C.
Mohamad said agriculture and fisheries remained vulnerable to external pressures beyond the government’s control, including extreme weather, geopolitical conflicts and rising fuel prices.
Referring to floods last year, he said padi farmers in Pendang and Jerlun suffered significant income losses when their crops were submerged shortly before harvest.
“These are circumstances beyond our control that continue to occur, and we must work together to find ways to address them,” he said.
He added that the government had allocated RM2.62 billion this year for various subsidies and incentives for the padi sector, including RM1.456 billion for agricultural input subsidies.
Mohamad said the ministry would continue providing targeted assistance and introducing measures to improve productivity, helping farmers and fishermen manage rising operating costs and increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.
