KK City Hall checking fish sold at markets in clampdown against fish-bombing

New Straits Times

07-05-2025

KOTA KINABALU: City authorities here are taking action to curb fish-bombing off the city's coast by clamping down on the sale of fish caught using the method.
Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said that Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), along with the Health Department and Fisheries Department, were conducting frequent inspections at local markets to detect fish caught using explosives.
Fishery inspectors typically look out for signs of internal trauma, such as sunken bodies, broken bones, bloodshot eyes, damaged gills, bruising, soft flesh, and an unusually sour or decomposed smell.
"If bombed fish are found, City Hall's first action is to cancel the trader's license. We are doing a few inspections (at the market) in a month.
"The Agriculture Ministry will also take enforcement action," he told the media after the unveiling of the city's second marine waste collection vessel at Gaya Island Resort here.
The vessel, named Mobula-8, was donated by a Swiss-based non-governmental organisation to the Marine Research Foundation (MRF) here. The first vessel, which was operated by City Hall, was launched in January.
Recently, the Sabah Dive Squad Club had called on the authorities to take action against rampant spear-fishing and fish-bombing in the state's waters. The methods are very dangerous and destructive, and may cause injury or death to scuba divers.
MRF founder Dr Nicholas Pilcher was asked by the media whether it would be feasible to attach a fish-bombing detection device to a skimming boat patrolling off the city's coast.
"Our goal is not to take the boat anywhere near explosive areas. But, having been here for 30 years, I can tell you that fish-bombing is now a fraction of what it used to be.
"It's not eliminated, but it has gone down tremendously. People have more opportunities now to earn a living through other means," he said.