The jetty area in Bagan village, Selangor, where up to 50 boats and vessels are moored to unload the catch from fishermen. — Bernama
FISHING can be a path to a better life for youths and that’s the message that needs to be pushed, say industry players.
They say current efforts by the government to produce the next generation of leaders capable of steering the fisheries sector to high growth, have yet to boost youth participation.
In Malaysia, the fishery sector falls under the 3D category, a term used to describe jobs that can potentially be dirty, dangerous and difficult, and these jobs are often shunned by the younger generation.
According to the National Fishermen’s Association (Nekmat), the government can change this negative perception among youths by providing more opportunities for fishermen to own fishing boats through grants and other incentives.
Citing training schemes and existing fishery institutes as the right platform to further this objective, Nekmat chairman Abdul Hamid Bahari is confident these incentives will draw youths to careers in fishing.
“Fishery institutes are not merely centres of learning for youths.
“There should be other incentives to retain the youths’ interest in the industry.
“Once they realise that the fishery industry can generate lucrative incomes for them, more youths will be drawn to the sector, which bodes well for the economy and the nation’s future,” he said.
He noted that those below 40 years old accounted for only 10% of Nekmat members.
Highlight success stories
Abdul Hamid said the government should also consider extending the grant or soft loan currently provided for agriculture entrepreneurs, to youths interested in setting up their business in the fishery industry including aquaculture.
“Inland fishing and aquaculture are alternatives for those who wish to gain early exposure in the industry without going out to sea.
“This way, we can help them develop their business acumen before they expand their activities by buying boats and other equipment for deepsea fishing as well as having a crew for their fishing operation.
“For better engagement, successful fishermen should be highlighted.
“Many fishermen have become millionaires, and they can share their success stories to inspire youths who are involved in training schemes or are pursuing their studies at fishery institutes,” he added.
Statistics from the Fisheries Department (DOF) in 2021 showed the subsector produced 1.75 million metric tons of edible fish valued at RM14.8bil that year.
They accounted for about 75% of the total marine catch (worth RM10.8bil) and 24% of aquaculture products worth RM3.43bil.
Abdul Hamid said the lack of skills at sea and lack of interest among locals had indirectly opened job opportunities for foreigners, especially those who were tekong (skippers) and awak-awak (crew) from Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia.
“The foreign fishermen are skilful boat handlers and are technologically adaptable. They operate sophisticated equipment on their vessels or boats and can work long hours,” he said.
Based on DOF statistics as at April 2023, 12,603 foreign fishermen hold Temporary Employment Visit Passes (PLKS) under Section 60K, Employment Act 1955 nationwide.Government efforts
DOF director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the department had developed training modules on vessel operation and fishing at institutes and training centres to attract interest.
“Vessel modernisation creates a conducive working environment for participants who are also offered equitable minimum wage and marine catch incentives, together with programmes for their well-being.
“Salaries or wages are based on qualifications being implemented in the commercial shipping sector.
“Besides that, attachment programmes for participants involved companies, operators and young entrepreneurs who graduated from Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Fishery College, Perak, and the Fisheries Academy (APM) in Kuala Terengganu.”
He said that from 2016 to 2022, APM produced 391 graduates with a Certificate of Fisheries Technology while the Perak college produced 603 graduates under the Capture Technology and Marine Aquaculture Programme.
The government, through the department, introduced the Fisheries Certificate Programme in 2015.
“The two-year programme combines academic knowledge and technology skills in fisheries, aquaculture, bio-security and post-harvest products.”
He said the target group were those aged between 17 and 30.
To encourage boat operators to use the local workforce, he said the government carried out several modular training programmes in vessel management and fishing for three months at Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Fishery College.
“Among others, we have the Vessel Modernisation and Capture Mechanisation Programme for deepsea fishing (trawler).
“There are also value-added modules such as Fisheries Onboard (Sikap) and swimming skills training as well as a one-month practical training session on board trawler fishing vessels.
“This free programme is to attract locals aged between 17 and 40.
“There is also a monthly allowance of RM200 with free food and accommodation for participants throughout their training period,” he added.
Breathing space for reefs
Meanwhile, Reef Check Malaysia general manager Julian Hyde said young people were not attracted to the fishing industry because of the long hours of heavy labour in the open sea.
“Young people are increasingly interested in less labour-intensive work in the tourism industry or the emerging digital economy, for example.
“So it is no wonder that young people are turning away from fishing.
“In the long run, this might even be good for coral reefs because with fewer coastal fishermen relying on reefs for food and livelihoods, the corals in fishing areas (which are severely threatened by rapidly worsening environmental conditions) will be given some breathing space to recover,” said Hyde.He said this in turn could help to support the pelagic fishes, which rely on fish prey from coral reef areas.
“So restricting fishing might not be a bad thing.
“Of course, our supply of fish for food will be affected, but perhaps this can be replaced by either more deepwater fishing or maybe aquaculture,” he said. -- Bernama
