Registration and Licensing Program for Fishing Vessels in Malaysia

Abstract

The fisheries management in Malaysia is based on the Fisheries Licensing policy, which stipulates clear guidelines for the management of fishing effort with a limited licensing system. The Fisheries Licensing Policy adopted in 1981 was further reinforced whereby the inshore fisheries program calls for a restructuring of the fisheries through reduction in the number of fishermen. Under the Fisheries Acts, 1985, all fishing vessel and fishing gears must be registered and licensed before they can operate in Malaysian Fisheries water. For control purposes, the licensing programs are formulated to increase the level of income of the coastal fisher folk and at the same time to maintain the optimum level of exploitation of the fisheries resources. There are several programs and strategies employed under the Fisheries Licensing policy that are establishment of fishing zones, determination of total allowable catch and restructuring of the fishery industry.