Latest news with #Fisheries(Amendment)Bill2025
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat passes Fisheries Bill amendment to curb illegal fishing
KUALA LUMPUR: The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the intrusion of foreign vessels, was passed in the Dewan Rakyat today. In his winding-up speech, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the Bill had undergone an inclusive and holistic review process and had been carefully refined. "It not only addresses domestic needs but also aligns Malaysia with international standards, including the requirements of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the recommendations of the European Commission, positioning the country as one that takes a firm stance against such fishing activity. "This Bill is not merely a legal amendment, but a reform initiative to enhance the governance of the national fisheries sector, ensure resource sustainability, and protect the rights of fishermen, including small communities in rural and island areas," he said. A total of 29 Members of Parliament took part in the debate on the Bill. Touching on the leakage of national resources and losses due to encroachment by foreign fishermen between 2020 and 2024, Arthur said the estimated losses amounted to around RM823 million. These included lost commercial fish catches, the destruction of marine habitats, and pressure on local fishery resources. "This is also related to the intrusion of foreign fishermen into Malaysian waters. The Fisheries Act 1985 already provides authority under subsection 15(1) to act against such intrusions. In 2019, amendments were introduced to raise the maximum fine from RM1 million to RM6 million for vessel skippers, and from RM100,000 to RM600,000 for crew members. "Section 52 also provides for the forfeiture of vessels upon conviction in court. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 515 foreign vessel intrusion cases were recorded, of which 367 involved vessels from Vietnam," he said. He added that Section 25 has been amended to increase the general penalty from RM20,000 to RM100,000. Section 26 raises the maximum fine for fishing offences involving explosives, poisons, or similar substances from RM20,000 to RM250,000, along with imprisonment of up to five years. He said the Bill also addresses ongoing encroachments into restricted fishing zones by trawlers where Subsection 13(3) empowers the Director-General to suspend, revoke, or reject renewal applications of licences belonging to individuals who commit offences in coastal zones. Penalties under this subsection include licence suspension of up to one year, compound fines, and the confiscation of equipment. "Furthermore, subsection 13(3a) allows the Director-General to bar individuals whose licences have been revoked from reapplying for up to five years. This serves as a preventive and deterrent measure to protect national fishery resources and is considered a severe penalty to curb repeat offences," he said. The Bill also introduces amendments to Section 31, aiming to strengthen the compounding mechanism in a way that is fairer to small-scale fishermen. "The minimum compound amount has been reduced from RM500 to RM100, and the cap on the number of compoundable offences has been lifted. "Offences such as fishing without a vessel licence under paragraph 8(a) may now be compounded if they involve traditional fishing methods that do not damage resources or cause encroachment. "Compound regulations are detailed under Section 61. These amendments represent a firm yet compassionate enforcement approach where it is strict on serious offences, but considerate towards minor infractions, reflecting the aspirations of the Madani Government," Arthur said. Arthur also noted that the Bill strengthens joint legal and operational coordination through amendments to Sections 46 to 56, which streamline collaboration between the Department of Fisheries (DOF), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the police, and the Royal Malaysian Navy. KW: Passed, fisheries, enforcement, IUU, foreign vessels, penalties, Malaysia, The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025
The Star
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Dewan Rakyat passes Fisheries Act 1985 amendments
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, among others, to strengthen action against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU). Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup stated that the country incurred losses estimated at around RM823mil due to encroachment by foreign fishermen from 2020 to 2024, encompassing the loss of commercial catches, destruction of marine habitats, and pressure on local fisheries resources. He said the bill was not just a legislative amendment, but a reform to strengthen the governance of the national fisheries sector, ensure the sustainability of resources, and protect the rights of fishermen, including those in small communities in rural areas and on islands. "This bill not only takes into account domestic needs but also aligns our country with international practices and European Commission recommendations and positions Malaysia as a country that is firm in tackling IUU," he said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). Arthur said the bill, among other things, amended provisions involving regulation, transhipment, landing and maintenance of vessels as well as expanding the definition of offences involving fishing methods that damage habitats to tackle IUU. For example, he noted that the amendment to Section 26 of the Fisheries Act 1985, which prohibits fishing using explosives, poisons, or pollutants, as well as devices that use electric current and prohibited tools, is crucial in curbing IUU activities. In addition, the bill includes a new subsection 13(3A), which sets a period of prohibition on re-applying for a licence of not more than five years from the date the licence was revoked. Arthur said it was a preventive measure to protect the country's fishery resources and was considered a severe punishment to deter offenders from repeating the same offence. The sitting continues on Wednesday (July 30). – Bernama
Borneo Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Dewan Rakyat passes Fisheries Act 1985 amendments
The bill, among other things, amended provisions involving regulation, transhipment, landing and maintenance of vessels as well as expanding the definition of offences involving fishing methods that damage habitats to tackle IUU. – Bernama file photo KUALA LUMPUR (July 29): The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, among others, to strengthen action against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU). Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the country suffered losses estimated at around RM823 million due to encroachment by foreign fishermen for the period 2020 to 2024, covering loss of commercial catches, destruction of marine habitat and pressure on local fisheries resources. He said the bill was not just a legislative amendment but a reform to strengthen the governance of the national fisheries sector, ensure the sustainability of resources and protect the rights of fishermen including small communities in rural areas and islands. 'This bill not only takes into account domestic needs but also aligns our country with international practices and European Commission recommendations and positions Malaysia as a country that is firm in tackling IUU,' he said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat today. Arthur said the bill, among other things, amended provisions involving regulation, transhipment, landing and maintenance of vessels as well as expanding the definition of offences involving fishing methods that damage habitats to tackle IUU. For example, he said the amendment to Section 26 of the Fisheries Act 1985, which provides for the offence of fishing using explosives, poisons or pollutants, any device using electric current and prohibited tools, is very important to curb IUU activities. In addition, the bill also includes a new subsection 13(3A) which sets a period of prohibition on re-application for a licence of not more than five years from the date the licence was revoked. Arthur said it was a preventive measure to protect the country's fishery resources and was considered a severe punishment to deter offenders from repeating the same offence. The sitting continues tomorrow. – Bernama
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Dewan Rakyat Passes Fisheries Act 1985 Amendments
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, among others, to strengthen action against illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing (IUU). Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the country suffered losses estimated at around RM823 million due to encroachment by foreign fishermen for the period 2020 to 2024, covering loss of commercial catches, destruction of marine habitat and pressure on local fisheries resources. He said the bill was not just a legislative amendment but a reform to strengthen the governance of the national fisheries sector, ensure the sustainability of resources and protect the rights of fishermen including small communities in rural areas and islands. "This bill not only takes into account domestic needs but also aligns our country with international practices and European Commission recommendations and positions Malaysia as a country that is firm in tackling IUU," he said when winding up the debate on the bill in the Dewan Rakyat today. Arthur said the bill, among other things, amended provisions involving regulation, transhipment, landing and maintenance of vessels as well as expanding the definition of offences involving fishing methods that damage habitats to tackle IUU. For example, he said the amendment to Section 26 of the Fisheries Act 1985, which provides for the offence of fishing using explosives, poisons or pollutants, any device using electric current and prohibited tools, is very important to curb IUU activities. In addition, the bill also includes a new subsection 13(3A) which sets a period of prohibition on re-application for a licence of not more than five years from the date the licence was revoked. Arthur said it was a preventive measure to protect the country's fishery resources and was considered a severe punishment to deter offenders from repeating the same offence. The sitting continues tomorrow.
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Amendment to Fisheries Bill tabled for second reading in Dewan Rakyat
KUALA LUMPUR: The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025, which among other things, seeks to raise the general penalty for fisheries-related offences from RM20,000 to RM100,000, was tabled for the second reading in the Dewan Rakyat, today. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu when tabling the bill today said the amendments are aligned with current needs and the development of the fisheries industry both domestically and internationally. He said the amendment is deemed highly necessary to address the issue of declining fisheries stocks through a holistic management approach. He added that the government is facing various challenges in its efforts to ensure the sustainability of the national fisheries sector, including issues such as the leakage of fishery resources, declining fish stocks, the impact of climate change, and concerns over food security and the guarantee of fish supply for the people. "Among the key challenges are anthropogenic activities such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing, and marine pollution that threaten marine habitats," he said. The proposed amendments cover six key areas, including efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities by tightening control over both local and foreign vessels. This includes monitoring loading and unloading operations, fish transfers, vessel maintenance, and supply activities. It also involves prohibiting fishing in polluted areas to safeguard the integrity of the national food supply chain. Other amendments focus on strengthening the legal framework for marine parks and reserves to fulfil Malaysia's obligations under international instruments, and increasing general penalties to enhance enforcement and ensure that appropriate measures are taken against violations of the Act and its related regulations. The bill also seeks to clarify the application of Act 317 across all Federal Territories, including Putrajaya, and to support more targeted interventions through the collection of accurate and reliable data. The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 comprises a total of 47 clauses. Among the key changes are on Clause 17 which amends Section 16 to require the captain of a foreign fishing vessel to notify authorities via official electronic communication upon entering and exiting Malaysian fisheries waters. Meanwhile, Clause 19 amends paragraph 25(b) by increasing the general penalty in all matters other than those involving foreign fishing vessels or local fishing vessels operating on the high seas from RM20,000 to RM100,000. Clause 20 amends Section 26 to raise the maximum fine to RM250,000 for offences involving the use of explosives, poisons, pollutants, electric current equipment, or prohibited gear. Clause 21 amends Section 27 to prohibit any person from fishing, disturbing, harassing, capturing, killing, possessing, selling, buying, exporting, transporting, or storing any aquatic mammal or turtle or any part or derivative thereof found outside state jurisdiction. The fine for such offences will increase from RM5,000 to RM250,000. "These amendments are part of policy and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening regulation in the national fisheries sector. "The Bill provides for measures to address licensing issues and the use of unsustainable equipment. The Director-General's powers are strengthened to set technical requirements for vessels, monitor movement and enforce licence compliance with the support of data-driven monitoring systems. "Given the current status of national fish stocks, several zones have been identified as critically stressed. Therefore, the declaration of marine protected areas is essential to enable recovery actions to be effectively carried out based on scientific data. "The government is aware of the issues affecting the fisheries sector, and thus the need to enhance enforcement and build a strong legal foundation is of utmost importance," he said.
