PARIT BUNTAR: The process of bringing in fish supplies from Sabah to the Peninsula is being planned through the cooperation of the National Fishermen’s Association (NEKMAT) and several fishermen’s associations in Sabah, aimed at stabilising prices and ensuring sufficient seafood supply in the local market.
Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said that the initiative was created following the oversupply of fish in Sabah, which caused the price of fish in the state to be cheaper, thereby creating an opportunity to transfer supplies to the Peninsular market.
He said the implementation of the programme is currently at the planning stage and requires a review of logistical aspects and transportation costs before it can be fully implemented.
“This initiative was launched in 2019 but was halted for a while. This year, we want to reactivate it because there is an oversupply of fish in Sabah, and at the same time, the lack of a large market has caused the surplus supply to be unoptimised.
“The types of fish identified as experiencing an oversupply in Sabah include mackerel and various species of small-sized fish that are the main catch of local fishermen,” he said when met at the Rahmah Mesra MADANI Programme in Kampung Sungai Betul Bawah Tanjung here today.
On Feb 7, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that the ministry is considering bringing in fish from Sabah to the Peninsula as soon as possible to address the rising prices of seafood.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Faiz said his side assures that the supply of fish for domestic needs remains sufficient even though the country’s fish catch production is expected to experience a slight decline following some deep-sea vessels in Zone C2 cutting down on their operations due to diesel subsidy issues.
“The situation is likely to have a slight impact on the country’s fish export activities, but priority remains given to ensuring supply for the domestic market, which is expected to be unaffected,” he also said.
Muhammad Faiz added that the LKIM and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have also submitted a proposal to the government for C2 vessel operators to be considered for diesel subsidies, but the matter is still under review due to financial implications. – BERNAMA
