SUNGAI PETANI: Efforts to improve the welfare of small-scale fishermen must go hand in hand with measures to attract the younger generation to the fisheries sector, thereby ensuring the industry’s sustainability and its continued contribution to the country’s food security.
The increase in the special boat licence quota from 17,000 to 20,000 fishermen under Budget 2027 is expected to create opportunities for another 3,000 fishermen to benefit from government assistance, including fuel subsidies and a monthly living allowance of RM300.
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The move will not only ease the operating costs borne by existing fishermen but could also encourage greater youth participation in the fisheries sector, which currently faces challenges such as unpredictable incomes and rising costs of going out to sea.
Kedah Fishermen’s Association chairman Azmi Bahari said access to assistance through fishing licence ownership was important to ensure small-scale fishermen could continue their activities while providing some protection for their families in the event of accidents at sea.
“With a fishing licence, they can receive a living allowance and purchase fuel at a lower price. If an accident occurs at sea, there is at least some assurance for their families and children,” he told Bernama recently.
Efforts to improve fishermen’s welfare must also include opportunities to increase their income and encourage participation by the next generation, thereby ensuring the continued growth of the fisheries sector.
Azmi hopes the government will expand housing assistance for fishermen and extend aquaculture projects through existing grants to create economic opportunities and potentially attract more young people to pursue fishing as a livelihood.
Meanwhile, Jerlun Area Fishermen’s Association chairman Zainuddin Ismail said the effectiveness of the increased licence quota would also depend on a smooth application and issuance process, ensuring eligible fishermen could benefit from government assistance without delay.
He said maintaining the fuel subsidy at RM1.65 per litre was crucial for coastal fishermen, who incur operating costs of between RM100 and RM150 a day even when fishing relatively close to shore.
“For boats with low-powered engines, this subsidy is of a great help because catches are unpredictable, while the costs of going out to sea still have to be borne,” he said.
Zainuddin said the challenges had become more acute as fishermen’s catches had declined this year compared with last year, with small-scale fishermen now averaging less than one tonne of catch a month.
He said fishermen typically went out to sea for 20 to 25 days a month, generating gross incomes of about RM4,000 to RM5,000, depending on their catches and operating conditions.
However, the figure represents gross income and does not account for operating expenses, including fuel and boat maintenance.
He said weather conditions and alleged incursions by boats from other fishing zones had also affected catches, further reducing local fishermen’s incomes.
The situation highlights the challenges that must be addressed to ensure small-scale fishermen can continue their activities, which also contribute to the country’s food supply.
Besides financial assistance, Zainuddin proposed reintroducing boat engine repair courses to enable fishermen to carry out basic maintenance themselves and reduce their reliance on external repair services.
He said the skills could help fishermen cut costs, as engine repairs could cost up to RM200 for certain types of damage.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old fisherman Muhamad Airell Izham Mohd Nazim views government assistance as an important form of support for young people keen to pursue fishing as a source of income.
However, he believes the implementation of such assistance should take into account the differing needs of individual fishermen to ensure the benefits genuinely support their fishing activities.
He added that fishermen had different requirements depending on their boat types, engine power and operating costs. Therefore, a more targeted approach was essential to ensure government support matched recipients’ actual needs.