Dewan Rakyat passes Fisheries Bill amendment to curb illegal fishing
In his winding-up speech, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the Bill had undergone an inclusive and holistic review process and had been carefully refined.
"It not only addresses domestic needs but also aligns Malaysia with international standards, including the requirements of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the recommendations of the European Commission, positioning the country as one that takes a firm stance against such fishing activity.
"This Bill is not merely a legal amendment, but a reform initiative to enhance the governance of the national fisheries sector, ensure resource sustainability, and protect the rights of fishermen, including small communities in rural and island areas," he said.
A total of 29 Members of Parliament took part in the debate on the Bill.
Touching on the leakage of national resources and losses due to encroachment by foreign fishermen between 2020 and 2024, Arthur said the estimated losses amounted to around RM823 million.
These included lost commercial fish catches, the destruction of marine habitats, and pressure on local fishery resources.
"This is also related to the intrusion of foreign fishermen into Malaysian waters. The Fisheries Act 1985 already provides authority under subsection 15(1) to act against such intrusions. In 2019, amendments were introduced to raise the maximum fine from RM1 million to RM6 million for vessel skippers, and from RM100,000 to RM600,000 for crew members.
"Section 52 also provides for the forfeiture of vessels upon conviction in court. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 515 foreign vessel intrusion cases were recorded, of which 367 involved vessels from Vietnam," he said.
He added that Section 25 has been amended to increase the general penalty from RM20,000 to RM100,000. Section 26 raises the maximum fine for fishing offences involving explosives, poisons, or similar substances from RM20,000 to RM250,000, along with imprisonment of up to five years.
He said the Bill also addresses ongoing encroachments into restricted fishing zones by trawlers where Subsection 13(3) empowers the Director-General to suspend, revoke, or reject renewal applications of licences belonging to individuals who commit offences in coastal zones.
Penalties under this subsection include licence suspension of up to one year, compound fines, and the confiscation of equipment.
"Furthermore, subsection 13(3a) allows the Director-General to bar individuals whose licences have been revoked from reapplying for up to five years. This serves as a preventive and deterrent measure to protect national fishery resources and is considered a severe penalty to curb repeat offences," he said.
The Bill also introduces amendments to Section 31, aiming to strengthen the compounding mechanism in a way that is fairer to small-scale fishermen.
"The minimum compound amount has been reduced from RM500 to RM100, and the cap on the number of compoundable offences has been lifted.
"Offences such as fishing without a vessel licence under paragraph 8(a) may now be compounded if they involve traditional fishing methods that do not damage resources or cause encroachment.
"Compound regulations are detailed under Section 61. These amendments represent a firm yet compassionate enforcement approach where it is strict on serious offences, but considerate towards minor infractions, reflecting the aspirations of the Madani Government," Arthur said.
Arthur also noted that the Bill strengthens joint legal and operational coordination through amendments to Sections 46 to 56, which streamline collaboration between the Department of Fisheries (DOF), the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the police, and the Royal Malaysian Navy.
KW: Passed, fisheries, enforcement, IUU, foreign vessels, penalties, Malaysia, The Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025
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