Latest news with #PenangDOF
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Barnama
EAIC: Penang DOF Committed To Improving Effectiveness Of MCS Management Enforcement
GEORGE TOWN, June 16 (Bernama) -- The Penang Department of Fisheries (DOF) will enhance monitoring aspects, standard operating procedures (SOP), and the effectiveness of MCS (Monitoring, Control & Surveillance) enforcement in the state's waters following recommendations from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) regarding the issue of trawler incursions from Zone B to Zone A. Its director, Zarina Zainuddin, said her department acknowledges and takes the feedback seriously, and therefore several steps have been, are being, and will continue to be taken to address the issue. "This includes increasing the frequency of monitoring visits by management to enforcement bases to ensure tasks are carried out according to SOP and standing instructions, with two surprise inspections conducted on April 22 and July 26, 2024. "Additionally, periodic inspections are also conducted from time to time to ensure staff attendance, adherence to work ethics, and the execution of duties according to the Captain Order guidelines," she said in a statement today. She explained that internal audits of the Enforcement Log Management are also conducted continuously to ensure daily records are maintained according to regulations, along with improvements to the record-keeping system to enhance the transparency and orderliness of operational information. Additionally, Zarina said that her department also organised comprehensive SOP reinforcement courses and training involving all enforcement officers, in line with EAIC's recommendations to ensure understanding and compliance with regulations are continuously improved. "The review of the SOP regarding the acceptance of complaints accompanied by video evidence has been implemented to expedite and streamline the investigation process. The Penang DOF is now filing police reports and opening investigation papers for each complaint related to violations of the Fisheries Act 1985, specifically involving the encroachment of trawlers into Zone A. "Throughout last year, the Penang DOF received seven video-recorded complaints regarding the encroachment of fishing areas by trawler boats in Zones B1 and C. As a result, 13 trawlers were investigated, and enforcement actions were taken, including the issuance of fines amounting to RM6,000 fines and court charges," she said. She also said that the DOG detained seven tugboats in Zone C, with a total fine and fish auction proceeds amounting to RM41,200, while further actions such as the suspension of Vessel Licenses and Fishing Licences for one year, complete equipment seizure, a five-year prohibition on vessel transfer, and court charges have been carried out.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
EAIC: Penang DOF committed to improving effectiveness of MCS management enforcement
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Department of Fisheries (DOF) will enhance monitoring aspects, standard operating procedures (SOP), and the effectiveness of MCS (Monitoring, Control & Surveillance) enforcement in the state's waters following recommendations from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) regarding the issue of trawler incursions from Zone B to Zone A. Its director, Zarina Zainuddin, said her department acknowledges and takes the feedback seriously, and therefore several steps have been, are being, and will continue to be taken to address the issue. 'This includes increasing the frequency of monitoring visits by management to enforcement bases to ensure tasks are carried out according to SOP and standing instructions, with two surprise inspections conducted on April 22 and July 26, 2024. 'Additionally, periodic inspections are also conducted from time to time to ensure staff attendance, adherence to work ethics, and the execution of duties according to the Captain Order guidelines,' she said in a statement today. She explained that internal audits of the Enforcement Log Management are also conducted continuously to ensure daily records are maintained according to regulations, along with improvements to the record-keeping system to enhance the transparency and orderliness of operational information. Additionally, Zarina said that her department also organised comprehensive SOP reinforcement courses and training involving all enforcement officers, in line with EAIC's recommendations to ensure understanding and compliance with regulations are continuously improved. 'The review of the SOP regarding the acceptance of complaints accompanied by video evidence has been implemented to expedite and streamline the investigation process. The Penang DOF is now filing police reports and opening investigation papers for each complaint related to violations of the Fisheries Act 1985, specifically involving the encroachment of trawlers into Zone A. 'Throughout last year, the Penang DOF received seven video-recorded complaints regarding the encroachment of fishing areas by trawler boats in Zones B1 and C. As a result, 13 trawlers were investigated, and enforcement actions were taken, including the issuance of fines amounting to RM6,000 fines and court charges,' she said. She also said that the DOG detained seven tugboats in Zone C, with a total fine and fish auction proceeds amounting to RM41,200, while further actions such as the suspension of Vessel Licenses and Fishing Licences for one year, complete equipment seizure, a five-year prohibition on vessel transfer, and court charges have been carried out. She added that her team appreciates the EAIC feedback and recommendations, and will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the effectiveness of enforcement and compliance with the principles of integrity and good governance in the management of the country's fishery resources. Previously, the EAIC revealed several weaknesses in the Penang DOF, including the failure to take action against the encroachment of trawlers from Zone B to Zone A, as well as the failure to implement proper monitoring of the officers and enforcement personnel under its supervision. Furthermore, the EAIC also found that the Penang DOF management was not sensitive to the daily enforcement duties and the constraints faced by the officers and personnel at the base.
The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
Penang DOF failed to act on trawler intrusions, EAIC says
PUTRAJAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found that the Penang Fishers Department (DOF) failed to act against the intrusion of trawler boats from Zone B into Zone A waters. Zone A and Zone B refer to designated maritime zones for trawler operations based on distance from the shoreline, with Zone A being closer to the coast and Zone B farther offshore. In a statement, EAIC said its investigation revealed that the Penang DOF has failed to monitor enforcement officers under its jurisdiction properly. "Inspections at the Batu Maung enforcement base were only conducted once a year. The management was also found to be unaware of the daily enforcement duties performed by its personnel, as well as operational constraints at the base. "Penang DOF also failed to ensure that the enforcement logbook entries were properly and completely recorded by the responsible officers," the commission said on Monday (June 16). Following its findings, the EAIC recommended that a letter of reprimand be issued to the senior management of Penang DOF involved for ineffective oversight, and disciplinary action be taken against officers who failed to properly record logbook details. It also proposed that the DOF's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling complaints, investigations and operations be improved to include video recordings as evidence, and that training be provided to Penang DOF personnel on compliance with SOPs, guidelines, enforcement protocols, operations and licensing procedures. In a separate statement, the EAIC said it has received a complaint alleging that Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had released detainees along with a vessel found using 'bubu naga', a piece of prohibited fishing gear. "The investigation, conducted under Subsection 27(4) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700), found that the alleged misconduct could not be verified. "As such, the EAIC decided to halt the investigation, and no disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved," it said. Nevertheless, in line with Subsection 4(1) of Act 700, the commission has recommended that the MMEA director-general take appropriate improvement measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. - Bernama
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Watchdog raps Penang Fisheries Dept, urges disciplinary action over trawler zone breaches
PUTRAJAYA, June 16 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found that the Penang Department of Fisheries (DOF) failed to act against the intrusion of trawler boats from Zone B into Zone A waters. Zone A and Zone B refer to designated maritime zones for trawler operations based on distance from the shoreline, with Zone A being closer to the coast and Zone B farther offshore. In a statement today, EAIC said its investigation revealed that the Penang DOF has failed to properly monitor enforcement officers under its jurisdiction. 'Inspections at the Batu Maung enforcement base were only conducted once a year. The management was also found to be unaware of the daily enforcement duties performed by its personnel, as well as operational constraints at the base. 'Penang DOF also failed to ensure that the enforcement logbook entries were properly and completely recorded by the responsible officers,' the commission said. Following its findings, the EAIC recommended that a letter of reprimand be issued to the senior management of Penang DOF involved for ineffective oversight, and disciplinary action be taken against officers who failed to properly record logbook details. It also proposed that the DOF's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling complaints, investigations and operations be improved to include video recordings as evidence, and that training be provided to Penang DOF personnel on compliance with SOPs, guidelines, enforcement protocols, operations and licensing procedures. In a separate statement, the EAIC said it has received a complaint alleging that Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) had released detainees along with a vessel found using 'bubu naga', a prohibited fishing gear. 'The investigation, conducted under Subsection 27(4) of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700), found that the alleged misconduct could not be verified. 'As such, the EAIC decided to halt the investigation, and no disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved,' it said. Nevertheless, in line with Subsection 4(1) of Act 700, the commission has recommended that the MMEA director-general take appropriate improvement measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. — Bernama
