MIRI, Jan 18: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and the relevant agencies need to work together to provide a clear explanation and guidelines on access boundaries for fishermen around the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park area.
Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin has suggested that SFC hold engagements and discussions with all relevant parties to clarify the fishermen’s confusion over the boundaries for fishing activities within the national park.
“Among the matters that need to be clarified are the details on activities and prohibitions in the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef National Park.
“This also includes details of what is allowed and the flexibility given to fishermen registered with the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department (SMFD) to catch fish within the national park area,” he said when chairing a dialogue on the matter with Sarawak Fishing Vessels Association (SFVA) here on Monday.
The dialogue was attended by enforcement agencies including Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri, SFC, SMFD Region 3 as well as Fishermen Association representatives and representatives from the Miri Resident Office and Miri District Office.
Lee emphasised that the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reef zone has been gazetted as a national park.
Earlier on, he had been informed by fishermen representatives about the confusion and lack of understanding about the national park boundary limit as well as the terms and conditions regarding the flexibility given to fishermen in the national park area. — DayakDaily
