KOTA BHARU, Oct 16 — Coastal fishermen and aquaculture operators could be hit if El Niño pushes temperatures up to 40°Celsius, prompting calls for early preparations to protect the country’s food production.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the phenomenon could drive fish farther out to sea, posing a challenge for coastal fishermen who lack the capacity to fish in deeper waters.
He said the government had discussed preparations for El Niño with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as part of efforts to strengthen national food security.
“Among the measures is an increase in allocations for coastal fishermen; during an El Niño event, temperatures can climb as high as 40 degrees Celsius, which significantly impacts them.
“Fish tend to migrate further offshore, yet coastal fishermen are generally restricted to fishing within a five-nautical-mile radius; they are not equipped to venture further out or fish in deeper waters,” he told reporters after attending the 2026 Kelantan State-level Convention of Parti Amanah Negara here today.
Mohamad said the aquaculture sector could also face challenges if temperatures rise significantly, particularly over the cost of installing protective measures such as canvas covers over fish-rearing ponds.
He said early preparations were crucial to help farmers and other agrifood operators mitigate the effects of hot weather on their activities.
Timely dissemination of information to these groups was also essential to help them take appropriate measures, he added.
Mohamad said the possibility of haze further complicated preparations for the potential impacts of El Niño. — Bernama