Kota Kinabalu: Deep-sea catches, especially yellowfin tuna, in Sabah will be increased with the aid of the fish aggregation device (Fad) project under a collaborative initiative between the Sabah Fisheries Department and Petronas.
Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the Fad would be installed by deep-sea fishermen in Sabah, beginning next month.
“I hope it will not only increase the catch but also help improve the earnings of fishermen and facilitate them in catching fish,” he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Sabah Fisheries Department and Petronas, here, Friday.
“This is the first formal agreement between the two sides (the Ministry and Petronas) and I hope more collaborations will be forged between the State Government and Petronas after this.”
Following the MoU, a total of 40 Fads will be distributed to the fishermen communities over a period of two years, benefiting more than 200 fishermen.
The Fad project serves to create an alternative fishing ground away from restricted zones.
It was made to understand that each device is worth about RM40,000 where the components are prepared under the advice of the Department while being sponsored by Petronas.
Selected fishermen will then assemble and install the Fad in identified areas.
The project, a safety outreach programme for coastal communities, is aimed at educating fishermen on the dangers of vessel encroachment within the 500-metre safety radius surrounding Petronas’ offshore operations.
“I want fishermen to enjoy a better standard of living and I am grateful that their living conditions are better today than before.
“This is all thanks to the Government’s determination to formulate various policies and programmes to protect the fishing community in the State,” said Jeffrey.
Since 2011, he said, the fisheries sector in Sabah has exceeded 100 per cent self-sufficiency level (SSL), in terms of fish production, and the State is also the main fishery product exporter in Malaysia.
“I hope this performance will be continued and the Sabah Fisheries Department will continue to manage and control fishery resources in Sabah so that it is sustainable and economical.”
Meanwhile, on fish-bombing in the State, Jeffrey stressed that the State Government is determined to put a stop to it.
“We will take serious actions against those still using fish bombs. One of the measures to be taken is to educate them and secondly, to take legal actions, such as arrests,” he said.
At the signing ceremony, Petronas was represented by Head of Petroleum Operations Management of Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) Handan Ramli, while the Department was represented by its Director Azhar Kassim.
Signing as witnesses were Petronas General Counsel of MPM Shahriman Johan Noor and Senior Assistant Director of Fisheries Lawrence Kissol.
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