KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government will form a committee to look into the issue of Vietnamese fishermen operating boats locally licensed, where the catch is not landed in any jetty in the State.
State Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Junz Wong, when asked about the issue which was reported by NSTP recently, admitted there might be instances in the past which allowed some quarters to take advantage.
“Yes, I admit there could be (instances) and we are investigating.
“The Ministry will form a committee which will include Malaysia Fisheries Development Board (LKIM), Fisheries Department and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agencies (MMEA) to discuss the issue,” he said when contacted today.
At present there were 55 boats operated by foreign fishermen which were licensed as local fishing boats and conducting fishing activities in the State’s waters. Of the number, 36 were operated by Vietnamese fishermen.
“There is a possibility the catches are not landed in Sabah but transferred to other ships in the deep sea.
“But we do not have proof of that. So the Ministry will look into this seriously,” he said.
Wong stressed the government would also not compromise on foreign boats that encroached and were arrested by authorities.
“Previously, we would return or auction off the vessels seized, but from now on we will be stricter and drown them (to create artificial reefs),” he added.