Establishment of Sarawak Fisheries Department in Final Stages, Rundi: Expected to Submit to Cabinet in First Quarter Next Year

(Kuching, 19th) The proposal for the establishment of the Sarawak Fisheries Department is currently in its final stages and is expected to be submitted to the Sarawak cabinet in the first quarter of 2025.

Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi, Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, stated that the department will become a leader in the development of Sarawak's fisheries sector, with a focus on protecting fishery resources to ensure their sustainability for future generations.

In addition, he said that the government plans to amend the National Fisheries Act 2003 (Chapter 54) to provide modern and comprehensive methods for managing Sarawak's fisheries and natural resources.

“Meanwhile, we are drafting the proposed amendments to the National Fisheries Regulations 2003 (Chapter 54) to provide modern and comprehensive methods for managing Sarawak's fisheries and natural resources. This includes coordinating relevant laws to ensure sustainable fisheries management in Sarawak.”

He disclosed this today while summarizing his department's activities in the Sarawak Assembly.

He also outlined five major initiatives for the protection of marine resources to be implemented in 2024, namely the placement of artificial reefs, the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), the establishment of fisheries protected areas, joint monitoring, and the use of monitoring technology.

As for the new vessel license applications in Areas A, B, and C, it has been clear that they have been frozen since 1982 to control the over-exploitation of marine resources.

He added that these steps are part of the Sarawak government's commitment to ensuring sustainable fisheries management and are in line with efforts to protect the state's marine resources.