The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has allocated USD 49 million (RM228.2 million) to repair and build new houses under the Special Housing Project for Fishermen (PKPN) nationwide from 2013 to September this year.

LKIM chairman Muhammad Faiz Fadzil said out of the total amount, USD 3.5 million(RM16.3 million ) was allocated for the construction of 257 new houses, and USD 45.54 million (RM211.9 million) was set aside to repair 20 086 existing houses. “So far, we have received over 500 applications for the construction of new houses, which we are still processing. Next year, we plan to repair 348 more houses and build 48 new ones. “The selection criteria include fishermen having their own land in addition to being active in associations and fishing activities,” he told reporters after officiating an engagement session with fishermen’s associations (PNK) in Kelantan here today.

At the programme, a total of 200 members of PNK in Semerak, Bachok, Kota Baru and Tumpat who were affected by the floods received food baskets involving an allocation of USD 4297.8 (RM20 000). Earlier, Muhammad Faiz visited the National Fishermen’s Association’s (Nekmat) ice factory located at the LKIM Tok Bali Fishing Port. The facility, which is built at a cost of around RM10 million, is Nekmat’s initiative to ensure a sufficient supply of ice blocks for fishermen in the Pasir Puteh area, particularly in Tok Bali. The factory can produce up to 200 tonnes of ice blocks a day, benefiting about 400 deep-sea fishing boats and coastal fishermen.

Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/12/20/fisheries-development-authority-of-malaysia-rm2282m-allocated-to-build-repair-fishermens-houses-since-2013/108516

The government on Sunday, December 17, announced its decision to establish a new company to promote and market the fisheries products of the Maldives.

At the press conference, as a follow-up to the cabinet meeting, President's Office Spokesperson Mohamed Shaheeb said that the new company will be focused on promoting fisheries products and services, including aquaculture and mariculture. The company is tasked introducing new brand to sell fish as a premium commodity in international markets to boost fisheries industry revenue.

"The government has decided to establish the Fisheries and Ocean Resources Marketing and Promotion Corporation (FORMPC); as a 100 percent state-owned separate entity," Shaheeb said. The cabinet further agreed to allocate MVR 37 million in the 2024 State Budget towards the establishment of the new corporation. Previously, Fisheries Promotion Board was tasked with promoting Maldivian fisheries industry activities in the global market. The company's establishment is one of the key pledges made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Source: https://edition.mv/news/30694

Kiribati’s Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources, Ribanataake Tiwau, emphasised the vital role of tuna for his country in a panel discussion at a COP28 side event on 11 December 2023, on the impact of climate change on fisheries.”

The event took place at the Moana Pasifika Pavilion in Dubai, moderated by Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General, Dr Manu Tupou Roosen. “Tuna is very important to the region and, in this case, for Kiribati. Our ocean area is 400 times larger than our land area, and we are fortunate to be in a tuna corridor – a five-degree north, five-degree south corridor where most tuna migrates, mainly skipjack,” said Minister Tiwau. He emphasised the economic and food security significance of tuna for Kiribati.

“In terms of revenue, tuna is the only source for us. The Ministry of Fisheries has been tasked with generating between AUD$140 and AUD$200 million to finance the government services, constituting 70 percent to 80 percent of our annual budget,” he explained. Minister Tiwau acknowledged the challenges posed by climate change and the potential changes in the tuna corridor and the dispersion of tuna. Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the effectiveness of regional management measures. “In the Pacific region, tuna is the only healthy stock compared to other regions.”

Director-General of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, stressed the importance of science in tuna fisheries management. She highlighted the joint effort between the FFA and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community(SPC). “The science informs our management actions, and it’s a collaborative effort, not just within the Pacific but also with fishing partners and organisations like the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).”

Dr Tupou-Roosen discussed the predicted shift in tuna distribution and abundance due to climate change and the need for collaboration to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital resource. She warned that, under a high-emission scenario, up to 20 percent of tuna biomass could move from exclusive economic zones (EEZ) to the high seas, with major implications for government revenue and associated benefits. “If we get the countries of the world back on track, especially those large gas emitters, with a 1.5-degree reduction, that reduces from 20 percent to 3 percent – still a reduction, so it’s still taken very seriously,” she said.

Source:PACNEWS