Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia has strengthened controls on foreign fishing vessels entering its waters through the Management System for the Entry of Foreign Fishing Vessels into Ports (e-PSM).
Department of Fisheries Malaysia Director-General Datuk Adnan Hussain said the digital system was developed in line with international standards and under Section 15(2) of the Fisheries Act 1985, aimed at combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
“This system manages applications for foreign vessels to enter the country’s ports, improves control efficiency and supports Malaysia’s commitment against IUU fishing.window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');}); Any foreign vessel must obtain approval from the Fisheries Department before being allowed to dock at national ports,” he said.
Through e-PSM, vessel owners must submit applications including information on entry dates, destination ports and catch details for assessment and entry approval.
He said failure to implement such controls would be seen as supporting IUU fishing.
Despite not yet ratifying the Port State Measures Agreement, Malaysia remains committed to complying with the requirements outlined in the international agreement.
The system ensures entering vessels are not in the IUU category and controls fish species landings to prevent violations of international regulations, including prohibited fish or species under the CITES list.
Applications are reviewed with international bodies including Australia, the European Union and regional organisations such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and Western Pacific Tuna Commission to verify vessel registration status.
As of 2024-2025, a total of 20 foreign vessels have been approved to enter Malaysian ports, landing 550 metric tons of tuna and similar species at Penang Port.
The launch ceremony was officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Sabu on Saturday.
