KUCHING: The Sarawak government is planning to establish its own Department of Fisheries (DoF) to boost the development of the fishing industry.
In stating this, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan revealed that the plan was voiced out following the handover of the Deep Sea Fisheries Licensing Empowerment Letter to the Sarawak government today.
According to him, the current fishing industry, including the management of fishermen, is under the State Agricultural Department, which is managed by the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development under minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
“Therefore, with the handover of this authority, the Sarawak government through the ministry is planning to establish a new department, which is the DoF.”
Awang Tengah explained that the department would be able to implement policies and plans to transform the fisheries sector in Sarawak.
“Hopefully, we will be able to implement this so Sarawakians will be more encouraged to be involved in the fishing industry.
“Even though now we have many fishing vessels in Sarawak, what I want is an addition to it.
“That is why this authority needs to be given to us so that it can plan and manage our industry.
“It is hoped that through this hanover, it will be able to further help the community economically.”
