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October 05, 2012 19:49 PM

Perak, Penang Inshore Fishermen Seek Action Against Trespassing Fishermen

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Inshore fishermen in Kerian, Perak and Penang have asked the authorities to act against trespassing fishermen using the so-called "Apollo" nets which they claim harm the eco-system and undermine their catch.

The president of the Education and Welfare Association of the Malaysian Inshore Fishermen's Network (Jaring), Jamaluddin Mohamad, said today the trespassing fishermen had modified the nets into damaging and illegal aids.

"The nets were used since the 1980s under the seine net licence issued by the Fisheries Department, but the nets of today do not adhere to that classification," he said in a statement.

He urged the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Fisheries Department to act immediately against the trespassing fishermen, saying the Apollo nets damaged the eco-system and fish-breeding locations.

Jamaluddin said the inshore fishermen feared for their lives because some of the Apollo net boat operators allegedly used ball firecrackers to scare away the inshore fishermen.

The authorities must address the issue because it can undermine the country's fisheries sector and threaten the livelihood of the inshore fishermen, he said.

-- BERNAMA

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Perak, Penang Inshore Fishermen Seek Action Against Trespassing Fishermen