BINTULU: The bold initiative by the Area Fishermen’s Association (PNK) Bintulu to venture into recreational boating and sport fishing proves that fishermen can venture beyond traditional boundaries to lead a more dynamic and sustainable community-based economy.
Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) Chairman, Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, described PNK Bintulu as a pioneer among the 18 PNKs in Sarawak, being the only one to implement such an innovative project.
“PNK Bintulu’s move not only reflects local leadership’s courageous spirit to innovate, but also positions them as a model for the 90 other PNKs across the country,” he emphasised during the Majlis Rahmah Mesra MADANI with Bintulu fishermen held at Kuala Tatau Fishermen’s Market here yesterday.
According to Faiz, the fisheries sector now requires a new economic approach that does not rely solely on seafood but also involves participation in the recreational industry which has high demand, particularly in sport fishing.
“If managed professionally, this recreational boat project can generate additional income for fishermen, attract tourists and continuously drive the local economy,” he said.
At the same event, Faiz also officiated at the launch of the PNK Bintulu Recreational Boat Project, which received an initial allocation of RM50,000 from LKIM.
This project aims to provide an alternative source of income for local fishermen while strengthening the community-based tourism sector in the Bintulu area.
He stated that the approach taken by PNK Bintulu aligns with LKIM’s objective of making fishing communities more self-reliant and open to more sustainable new economic opportunities.
