Latest news with #DepartmentofFisheriesMalaysia
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak strengthens myKP to empower inland fishing communities
Abdul Rahman (second left) presents a mock cheque to Kuala Sibuti myKP chairman Mohammad Zaidi Abdullah, symbolising the financial assistance extended under the myKP programme. MIRI (May 22): The Sarawak Fisheries Department will continue the implementation of the myKomuniti Perikanan (myKP) Programme, reaffirming its commitment to empower inland fishing communities and promote sustainable fisheries management. According to Sarawak Senior Director of Fisheries Abdul Rahman Abdul Wahab, the myKP initiative plays a key role in enhancing fishers' skills and resilience, raising awareness about resource conservation, and contributing to national food security. Launched on Dec 4, 2017, myKP is a flagship programme under the Department of Fisheries Malaysia aimed at improving income-generating capacity through community-based fisheries management (CBFM). Abdul Rahman shared this during the launch of the Kuala Sibuti myKP Strengthening Programme here yesterday. Since its inception in Kuala Sibuti in 2020, he noted the community has successfully carried out four key projects – the Fish Aggregating Device (Unjam) Project, the Fishery Product Processing Project, the Boat Maintenance Shed (Galangan) Project, and the Belacan Processing Project. To support these initiatives, he said the department allocated RM239,985 for the period 2020 to 2025. These projects not only strengthen the local fisheries economy but also reflect the government's commitment to inclusive and sustainable community development, he said. The programme, he added, covered a broad range of activities including capture fisheries, aquaculture, agro-based enterprises, fisheries support services, agro-tourism, and recreational fishing. 'This demonstrates that fishing communities are being left behind, but are empowered to drive local economic development through self-reliance, organisation, and adaptability. 'In this post-pandemic, climate-challenged era, Kuala Sibuti can serve as a model for other myKP communities in Sarawak and beyond,' said Abdul Rahman. lead myKomuniti Perikanan myKP) Sarawak Fisheries Department
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
More than half of Malaysia's coral reefs affected by bleaching, says report
KUALA LUMPUR: More than half of Malaysia's coral reefs have been affected by bleaching, with over a third showing signs of death, according to a new report highlighting the devastating impact of the 2024 global coral bleaching event. The 2024 Malaysia Coral Bleaching Impact Report, released by Coralku and Reef Check Malaysia, revealed that 50.7 per cent of surveyed corals across Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah experienced bleaching, while 34.1 per cent suffered mortality on average. The northeastern region, particularly the Terengganu archipelago, was the worst hit, with coral death averaging 44.2 per cent. Monitoring data on coral bleaching incidence and mortality were collected across 24 sites in four Malaysian regions: northeastern Peninsular Malaysia, southeastern Peninsular Malaysia, and east and west Sabah. Coralku founder and lead author of the report, Sebastian Szereday, said Malaysia's coral reefs are at a tipping point. "The scale and severity of bleaching observed in 2024 underscore the vulnerability of our reefs to extreme and prolonged heat stress, with profound implications for marine life and reef-dependent communities," he said. Szereday added that unlike previous bleaching events in 2010 and 2019-2020, coral species with complex growth forms, crucial for reef structure and fish habitat, were disproportionately impacted in 2024, resulting in a significant loss of three-dimensional reef complexity. "This threatens not only marine ecosystems but also the aesthetic and economic value of reefs, which are vital to local tourism and fisheries. To date, six archipelagos within Malaysia's marine parks are valued at RM8.7 billion, according to the Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DoF)," he said. Reef Check Malaysia science officer and co-lead author Chen Sue Yee said urgent local and national actions are necessary to support reef resilience. "It is vital to take action to support our weakened reefs. Measures such as eliminating land-based pollution, including untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff, and mitigating coastal development impacts like sedimentation and physical reef damage must be prioritised," she said. "We should also promote sustainable tourism to minimise direct physical harm to coral ecosystems and enhance local research capacity and community-led reef co-management. Our findings with Community Marine Conservation Groups (CMCGs) show that these approaches improve awareness, livelihoods, and reef health. "Strengthening enforcement of no-take zones and fishing regulations is also essential to reduce exploitation and habitat destruction," added Chen. Meanwhile, National University of Singapore researcher and co-author of the report Lee Li Keat said research should focus on expanding standardised bleaching monitoring protocols to identify heat-resilient coral species and sites.
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Dr Rundi: State govt reviews Fisheries Ordinance amendments to address invasive alien fish
Martin (second left), Dr Abdul Rahman (fourth left) and other officials seen giving a thumbs-down to the invasive fish species displayed during the event today. KUCHING (May 14): The state government is reviewing proposed amendments to the Sarawak Fisheries Ordinance 2003 to include 40 invasive alien fish species in an effort to strengthen legal enforcement against their spread in local waterways, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister stated that the amendment marks a significant step by the state government to curb the ecological and economic threats posed by these species as the presence of invasive alien species such as African catfish, redtail catfish, flowerhorn, alligator gar, dragonfish and arapaima poses a serious threat to Sarawak's native aquatic biodiversity. 'These organisms are not native to Malaysia and were introduced into local waters either deliberately or accidentally. 'Their highly invasive nature, marked by rapid reproduction, resilience, and adaptability, allows them to dominate ecosystems quickly,' he said in his speech at the launch of the inaugural Elimination of Invasive Fish Species programme at a hotel here today. His speech was read by Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben. He further noted that the 40 invasive species were listed by the Department of Fisheries Malaysia in 2004 under the Fisheries (Prohibition of Import) Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2011), and the Sarawak government is now working to reflect this list in its own state legislation. He emphasised that this is a key move in managing and enforcing control over these alien species to prevent them from further spreading across Sarawak's inland waters. He warned that these species endanger native freshwater fish such as Empurau, Semah, Tengadak, and Labang, which have naturally existed in Sarawak's rivers for generations. 'These alien species compete for food and habitat, disrupt the food chain, reduce water quality, and threaten the survival of native species,' he said. Dr Rundi also acknowledged that increasing public awareness, particularly on social media, has highlighted the spread of these species, which are being found more frequently in local rivers and lakes. Hence to combat the issue, he urged the public to become active participants in monitoring and reporting sightings of invasive fish. 'Everyone has a role to play and if you see anyone releasing these species into the water, report it to the authorities. Don't use them as bait, don't release them, and if you catch one, destroy it immediately. Not cook it, destroy it,' he said. He encouraged the public to become 'citizen scientists' by helping authorities document and address the spread of these species and to educate family and friends on the dangers they pose. Meanwhile Dr Rundi also expressed his appreciation to the Sarawak Agriculture Department for leading the Elimination of Invasive Fish Species programme and collaborating with agencies and communities for this first-of-its-kind initiative in the state. 'I hope this programme will serve as the beginning of more similar efforts to come. Let us continue to work together to protect our rivers and biodiversity,' he said. The programme featured public awareness activities and the symbolic removal of invasive fish from the Sarawak River. The event was jointly organised by the federal and state governments in collaboration with various agencies including the Sarawak Agriculture Department, Sarawak Rivers Board, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sarawak Forestry Corporation, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Sarawak Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM Sarawak). Also present were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and other officials.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
DOF plans artificial reef complexes on East Coast
KUCHING: The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) is planning to develop artificial reef complexes in the East Coast states in response to encroachments and the depletion of fish resources. Its director-general, Datuk Adnan Hussain, said the initiative, which covers Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu, is part of the department's strategy to increase the country's fisheries output over the next five years. 'Previously, we scattered reefs across various locations, but with this new approach, we intend to concentrate them in a single location, with plans for expansion. This will provide a more significant impact. 'Our goal is to establish the artificial reef complexes within the next five years. However, we will not neglect Sarawak in this initiative,' he told a press conference after the Rasa-rasa Akuakultur Programme and myAgropreneur Perikanan and myKomuniti Perikanan Carnival here today. On Feb 8, Bernama reported that DOF is actively carrying out various conservation programmes, especially in sensitive areas, to ensure the sustainability of Malaysia's fish stocks. Adnan further said that the budget for developing the reef complexes is among the proposals to be submitted to the Ministry of Economy next week in preparation for the 13th Malaysia Plan. He mentioned that the department often receives requests from state governments, particularly regarding the construction of artificial reefs in local waters. 'We hope to secure a substantial allocation so that we can distribute this budget fairly to each state. Given our limited budget, we are unable to meet all states' requests,' he said, adding that a total of 202,004 artificial reef units have been deployed in Sarawak's waters since 1984. Earlier in his speech, Adnan highlighted that Sarawak is one of the largest contributors to the country's aquaculture production, contributing approximately 11,000 metric tons of the national total of 510,000 metric tons last year. He also encouraged more Malaysians to venture into aquaculture farming and become fisheries entrepreneurs through programmes offered by DOF. As of 2024, a total of RM6.66 million has been allocated to aquaculture farmers in Sarawak through the Skim Penyampaian dan Khidmat Sokongan (SpeKS), while RM958,000 has been distributed to 10 participants as part of the community development programme for this year.
