By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 19: The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development is in the final stages of preparing a proposal to establish the Department of Fisheries Sarawak, expected to be presented to the Sarawak Cabinet by the first quarter of 2025.
Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom stated that the proposed department aims to spearhead fisheries development in Sarawak while prioritising the conservation and sustainable management of fisheries resources for future generations.
“At the same time, we are in the midst of formulating proposed amendments to the Sarawak Fisheries Ordinance, 2003, (Chapter 54) to provide for a modern, comprehensive approach to the management of Sarawak’s fisheries and its natural resources.
“This will include harmonisation of relevant laws to ensure sustainable management of fisheries in the Sarawak,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech in the august House today.
On fishery development, Dr Rundi announced that Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Indonesian-based company PT Borneo Lautan Jaya to transform the Tanjung Manis Deep-Sea fishing hub into Blue Fishery Port by 2027.
“SEDC Fisheries also plans to advance its efforts in downstream processing in the first quarter of 2025 to ensure all catches are fully utilised. These initiatives and expansion will create 80 job opportunities,” he said.
Dr Rundi highlighted that Sarawak’s catch fisheries landing currently stands at approximately 83,700 metric tonnes, valued at RM498.0 million.
“There are currently 24 C2 vessels operating in Sarawak, contributing to a landing catch of 8,100 metric tonnes valued at RM27.3 million this year. However, this is a reduction compared to 2023, when 35 C2 vessels landed 9,000 metric tonnes valued at RM28.5 million,” he explained.
The decline in operational C2 vessels is attributed to rising fuel costs and challenges in recruiting crew members.
Dr Rundi reported that SEDC Fisheries Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of SEDC, has launched its fisheries project in the first quarter of 2024.
Currently, two C-class vessels are operational, while five C2-class vessels are undergoing maintenance and refurbishment, with operations expected to commence by December this year. — DayakDaily
