Latest news with #DepartmentofFisheries
The Sun
28-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
DOF steps up dugong conservation to prevent extinction
PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Fisheries (DOF) is stepping up efforts to conserve dugongs, encompassing the protection of critical habitats, population monitoring, and cooperation with various parties including local communities. In a statement issued in conjunction with World Dugong Day today, DOF said that it continues to undertake integrated efforts towards the conservation of endangered marine species such as the dugong (Dugong dugon), which is now facing the risk of extinction. 'As herbivorous marine mammals that depend entirely on the seagrass ecosystem, the survival of dugongs reflects the health of the country's marine environment,' the department said. The dugong is the only surviving species in the family Dugongidae and is fully protected under Malaysian law, including Section 27 of the Fisheries Act 1985, the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Fish Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2019, and wildlife legislation in Sabah and Sarawak. This species is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and categorised as 'Vulnerable to Extinction' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making conservation efforts an urgent necessity. DOF stated that among the latest conservation initiatives underway is the proposed gazettement of a Dugong Sanctuary in Johor, covering an area of 150,000 hectares. 'This gazettement is expected to strengthen the protection of critical habitats and support long-term research and monitoring,' the statement read. DOF said that dugong populations in Malaysia are concentrated in several areas such as the waters around Pulau Sibu, Pulau Tinggi, and Pulau Besar in Johor, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. 'The primary habitat of dugongs is shallow seagrass areas, which are also important ecosystems for various other marine species such as seahorses, sea cucumbers, and juvenile fish. However, these areas are increasingly under threat due to coastal development, land reclamation, pollution, and unsustainable fishing activities,' the statement noted. According to DOF, in collaboration with Yayasan PETRONAS, it is currently carrying out seagrass distribution mapping nationwide, including assessments of the carbon stock of these habitats. 'Seagrass is not only crucial as the main food source for dugongs, but also plays a role in climate change mitigation through its carbon absorption capacity,' the statement added.
Business Mayor
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
‘Drone technology to be used for transportation of live fish'
new delhi: The Secretary of the Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Abhilaksh Likhi, on Friday said that the department is looking at drone technology to transport live fish in a boost for fisheries sector. Likhi made the comments during the 'Fisheries Secretaries Conference 2025' and National Workshop on Harnessing Technology and Innovation in Aquaculture here to review the progress of Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojna, fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure development fund and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana. Senior officers from the State Fisheries Departments, Reserve Bank of India, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Open Network for Digital Commerce, Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium, National Cooperative Development Corporation and ICAR also participated in the meeting. In the address, Likhi urged states to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at upscaling the fisheries sector through innovation, infrastructure and institutional synergy. Emphasis was laid on the extensive use of satellite technology to enhance fisher safety and operational efficiency covering aspects such as resource mapping, biometric identification, and facial recognition. Likhi highlighted a pilot project on drone technology for live fish transport, aiming to develop a 70 kg payload drone capable of carrying live fish in difficult terrains from aggregator to distribution point. READ SOURCE
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Karnataka announces 61-day monsoon fishing ban from June 1
Representative Image UDUPI: The Karnataka government has announced a ban on mechanised fishing along the state's coast from June 1 to July 31 under the Karnataka Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1986. The 61-day prohibition aims to protect marine biodiversity during the monsoon season and support fish breeding cycles. According to the notification, the ban applies to all fishing activities carried out using mechanised boats and traditional boats fitted with inboard or outboard engines exceeding 10 horsepower. However, traditional or non-motorised boats and motorised boats with engines up to 10 HP are permitted to operate during this period. The state's Department of Fisheries has instructed all mechanised boats to return to port by May 31. Any vessels attempting to operate or dock after this deadline will face legal action, and violators will be disqualified from receiving subsidised diesel for one year at official delivery centres. Fishermen have also been advised to strictly comply with weather advisories issued during the monsoon. The Joint Director's Office of the Fisheries Department has urged coastal fishing communities to fully adhere to the directive.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
61-day annual marine fishing ban to come into effect from June 1
Considering the declining marine fish stocks, a 61-day annual marine fishing ban will take effect in the coastal belt from June 1 to July 31. Accordingly, mechanised boats and traditional boats fitted with inboard or outboard engines of 10 HP and above are banned from fishing activities. However, fishing boats fitted with engines of up to 10 HP will be allowed to fish during the period. The Joint Director of Fisheries said in a release on Tuesday that fishermen who flout the government order will not receive a diesel subsidy for a year and will be subject to penal provisions under the Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act, 1986. The main objective of banning deep-sea fishing is to protect fish wealth, as commercially important species breed during this period. It is also used to prevent juvenile fishing and excessive fishing. Meanwhile, stressing the need to extend the two-month ban on fishing during the fish breeding season to three months (till August), D. Siddaiah, Joint Director, Department of Fisheries, Dakshina Kannada, told a meeting in Mangaluru recently that there should be uniformity in the ban across the West coast. All States on the West Coast should arrive at a consensus to impose the three-month ban (from June to August). Extending the ban for one more month will help in boosting fish production, he said. The Joint Director said that the marine fish catch in Dakshina Kannada dropped by 28.04 % in the last financial year. The catch came down to 1.72 lakh tonnes in 2024-25 from 2.39 lakh tonnes during 2023-24, he told the meeting presided over by Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Minister in charge of Dakshina Kannada. Stakeholders in the fisheries sector attribute the fall in catch to various factors, including the rise in temperature, illegal fishing using lights, over (excessive) fishing, and bull trawling. According to the State Department of Fisheries, total fish production in Karnataka fell to 9.75 lakh tonnes in 2023-24 from 12.24 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. Marine fish production also dropped to 5.42 lakh tonnes from 7.30 lakh tonnes during the same period. Meanwhile, a report 'Rapid Assessment of Blue Economy Potential in Karnataka' prepared by the College of Fisheries, Mangaluru in 2021, when A. Senthil Vel was the dean of the college, said the marine fisheries sector witnessed acute unsustainability, unrestrained increase in fishing vessels and rampant use of destructive fishing methods in the past decade. In addition, the report said that unwavering demand from the fish meal industry has also led to a decline in commercially important fish stocks and adverse impacts on the livelihoods of fishermen.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Mohamad to table memorandum on Fisheries (Amendment) Bill at Cabinet meeting tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR: The memorandum on the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 will be tabled at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, marking a key step towards strengthening legislation to protect the nation's marine resources and safeguard the welfare of fishermen. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said he was briefed today on the memorandum by the Department of Fisheries, led by its deputy director-general (Development), Datuk Azahari Othman. He said the briefing was vital to ensure the ministry fully understands every detail of the proposed amendments, aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the country's fisheries industry. 'We want to ensure that the legislation introduced not only protects the country's marine resources but also looks after the welfare of fishermen and stakeholders in the sector. 'God willing, I will present this memorandum at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for May 21,' he said in a Facebook post.
