Marine Resources Need Protection

SEMATAN: The federal government has been urged to address matters relating to coastal security, especially in Sarawak waters, in the effort to stop encroachment and illegal harnessing of state marine resources.

“We have a huge area with more than 1,000 kilometres of coastline to protect, so it is relevant that more maritime enforcement personnel and assets placed in Sarawak waters.

“The lack of assets faced by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in Sarawak Region for guarding our coastline, have caused encroachment and incursion into our waters,” said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Adenan Satem when launching the Sarawak Artificial Reef 2015 Project at the Chung Hua Association Hall here, yesterday.

He said that because Sarawak’s coastline differed from other states, the federal government should allocate more assets to address this security matter.

He said the federal government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, would give greater emphasis the protection of Sarawak waters.

“One of the methods to prevent foreign trawlers from harnessing our marine resources is with artificial reefs.

“The implementation of artificial reef prgramme will boost the state’s fisheries industry and with this conservative measure, the state will benefit immensely in the marine fisheries sector from increased marine resources.

“The state seeks for more allocations for this artificial reef programme as well as for enforcement by the marine agencies such as MMEA, Marine Fisheries Department and Marine Police,” said Adenan.

He also pointed that the fishing licence regulations had to be revised as there had been cases of fishing licence being misused or the holders abused their privileges.

“This is to ensure that fishermen would utilise their privileges at the fullest instead of taking advantage of assistance provided for them,” he said.

At the function, 150 people from Sematan were appointed for Fisheries Volunteer (SUPER) Programme.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, his deputy Anthony Nogeh and Opar State Assemblyman Ranum Mina.-SarawakTribune