Malaysia’s fish production is expected to decline slightly towards the end of the year as soaring diesel prices linked to the global energy crisis force some deep-sea fishing vessels to scale back operations.
Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said operators of Zone C2 vessels, which operate more than 30 nautical miles from the coast, have been hit hard by rising fuel costs and are struggling to remain viable.
Unlike fishermen in Zones A, B and C, Zone C2 operators do not receive fuel subsidies, prompting some vessel owners to temporarily suspend fishing activities.
“As Zone C2 vessels do not receive subsidies, some are unable to continue operating due to the sharp increase in fuel prices. As a result, we expect a slight decline in fish output by the end of the year as some of these vessels are no longer operating,” he said after the World Oceans Day 2026 celebration at Redang Island Marine Park today.
Fish landing data showed catches from Zone C2 vessels fell to 13,300 metric tonnes in March, compared with 16,200 metric tonnes in the same month last year.
Landings in April also dropped to about 18,000 metric tonnes from 21,000 metric tonnes a year earlier.
Despite the decline, Adnan said Malaysia’s overall fish supply would remain stable as lower catches from deep-sea vessels could be offset by production from vessels operating in Zones A, B and C, as well as the aquaculture sector.
“Although fish supply is expected to reduce slightly by year-end, it will remain stable and sufficient to meet domestic demand,” he said.
The capture fisheries sector continues to produce between 1.2 million and 1.4 million metric tonnes annually.
Adnan said the industry has felt the impact since March following increases in diesel prices in both global and domestic markets, driven by geopolitical tensions in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that the Fisheries Department has not imposed any licence cancellations or restrictions on Zone C2 operators that choose to temporarily cease operations.
