Falling fish catch in Malaysia spells trouble for industry and region; highlights need for sustainable practices

Seafood

Malaysia

Regulation & Compliances

Market & Price Trends

Published Jan 20, 2024

Tridge summary

The fishing industry in Sungai Besar, Malaysia, has been severely impacted by declining catches, with fishermen like Mr Chia Mui Seng experiencing a significant decrease in their hauls. The situation is attributed to a combination of factors including overfishing, climate change, and the influx of foreign fishermen. In response to the dwindling catch, the government is seeking to promote aquaculture in order to increase food security and reduce reliance on wild fish stocks. Furthermore, efforts such as establishing artificial reefs and implementing smart spatial zones are being explored to help sustain marine resources and mitigate the effects of climate change for the future.

Disclaimer: The above summary was generated by a state-of-the-art LLM model and is intended for informational purposes only. It is recommended that readers refer to the original article for more context.

Original content

KUALA LUMPUR: As Mr Chia Mui Seng removes a sheet covering his unused fishing nets, he discovers a huge colony of ants that has made a nest in them. Having not gone out to sea for four months now, Mr Chia sporadically checks on his fishing equipment that he has left behind on his boat in the coastal town of Sungai Besar, Selangor, a two-hour drive from the glittering capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The nets must be properly covered, the fisherman told CNA, or risk being nibbled and damaged by rats. “(But) it has been so long (since I last checked my equipment) that the ants are making their nests here,” he said. Mr Chia, who said that he used to be able to net up to 20 tonnes of fish in a month, claims that he has not gone out to sea because there was not much to catch these days. “Last time, I used to give people fish but now I have to buy it for myself,” he said, noting how the tides have turned on him. “If I go out, I will lose a lot of money, much more than I am already losing ...

Source: Channelnewsasia