MUKAH: Sarawak will amend the laws governing and regularising riverine and coastal fishing in the state by April next year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg said the amendments to the State Fisheries Ordinance (2003) would help the government better manage its coastal and riverine fishing industry.
"We want to manage and administer fishing activities in our rivers and coastal waters in a more structured and organised manner,” he said.
Abang Johari added that the amendments would provide Sarawak its own unit to enforce fishing laws in the state.
The enforcement unit, he said, would also have the power to police the coastal areas and detain illegal foreign fishermen who encroach into the state's waters.
Speaking at the launch of the artificial reef ball programme at Pasar Sabtu here yesterday, Abang Johari said he had instructed the state Attorney-General’s Chamber to study the existing laws and provide recommendations.
"We are looking into amending the laws, but it may not make it for tabling during the next State Legislative Assembly sitting in November. But we should be able to do it in the April sitting next year," he added.
Abang Johari said the state government had allocated RM70 million to install reef balls along the coast from Sematan to Lawas, for the benefits of the fishing community.
The reef balls, he said, had proven to be an effective method to increase marine lives population and deter illegal trawling.