The Ceremony of Handing over the Letter of Empowerment (Reduction of Power) to the Sarawak State Government, especially for Deep Sea Fishing Licensing, was completed by YB Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and witnessed by YB Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Bin Ali Hasan, Deputy The Premier of Sarawak is at the Borneo Convention Center Kuching (BCCK) today.
On 18 October 2021, the Special Council on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) approved the delegation of authority to the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department (JPLS) and the Ministry of Agricultural Modernization and Sarawak Regional Development (MANRED) to carry out the issue of deep sea permits and licenses for fishing vessels C2 zone fish in Sarawak. The terms of empowerment have also been agreed in principle by the Sarawak State Government through an official letter dated 7 June 2022.
Dr Ronald said the initiative to implement empowerment or delegation of authority to the Sarawak Government for Deep Sea Fishing Licensing matters can benefit the Federal and State Governments in accordance with its objectives, including the management of fishery resources, water safety and more sustainable international relations.
He also stated that the latest status of the deep sea fishing vessel quota that can be licensed in Sarawak waters is 560 vessels.
“The addition of deep-sea vessels and the sustainable management of fisheries resources throughout Sarawak waters will continue to guarantee fish catches in addition to developing various other services along the value chain including downstream industries that can increase the economic results of local fishermen,” he said.
Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah also said, it is the Sarawak Government’s hope that the implementation of this deep sea fisheries empowerment will drive the development of the fishing industry towards making Sarawak the main fishery producing hub in the region.
“Fishery catches in Sarawak waters need to be given attention, managed and exploited well to increase fish landings and the economic results of local fishermen,” he said.
With this devolution, the Sarawak Ministry of Agricultural Modernization and Regional Development (MANRED) is now planning to establish a new department, the Sarawak Fisheries Department, in order to implement policies and plans to transform the fisheries sector in Sarawak.
Currently, Sarawak has a total of 10,828 fishermen and 5,103 vessels that have produced a total of 125 thousand metric tons of fish per year with a value of over RM 716 million.
In the 12th RM, the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department (JPLS) has been allocated more than RM17 million to manage fisheries resources and increase the country’s fish production to guarantee fish supply in Sarawak.
