Landing fish on a dock. (Photo: Stock File / FIS)
Sabah relaxes ban on fish exports
MALAYSIA
Monday, February 15, 2016, 09:00 (GMT + 9)
Sabah authorities have decided to partially lift a ban on fresh seafood exports and allow live aquaculture raised fish to be brought out of state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin said the partial lifting of the export ban was because aquaculture was a key source of income for many Sabahans, and it also may help improve the trade balance.
The minister recalled that the ban on exports of live as well as fresh chilled seafood, in force as from 2 February, was to ensure that there was enough supply for the local market.
The measure involves certain fish species, including tiger grouper and kertang.
However, the prohibition would not cover frozen seafood as well those that had been processed, such as fish fillet.
According to Fisheries Department statistics, about 65 per cent of Sabah’s seafood is exported to the peninsula. Much of this production comprises small pelagic fish such as sardine and larger ones such as tuna, grouper and red snapper.
Meanwhile, Sabah Restaurants Fellowship Association (SRFA) is proposing the establishment of a quota system on seafood supplies.
The organization’s President Lim Vun Chan stated, “If the government continues with the export ban, KKBOA [Kota Kinabalu Fishing Boats Owners Association] members cannot be in the business for much longer.”
Supplies of fresh and live seafood are abundant in Sabah, but they are seasonal. “Sometimes, when it’s not the season, we import live seafood from Australia,” the leader added.
Sabah Fisheries Marketing Authority (Safma) Chairman Jaujan Sambakong detailed, “The ban was based on the present situation, like the monsoon season and the El Nino phenomenon”. And he highlighted, “This is when fishermen reduce their activities. Also, it’s not the breeding season,” Free Malaysia Today reported.
Fish exports totalled 130,000 metric tonnes, and fetched MYR 800 million (USD 193.5 million) last year.
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