The Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) has plans to prohibit exports of popular fish species two times next year, Bernama reported on 21 December, citing LKIM Chairman Mohd Faiz Fadzil.
The first restriction, from 1 January to 28 February of 2020, is to ensure that the supply of those fish in the country is adequate and remains affordable during the monsoon season ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations early next year. Malaysia has implemented a similar ban on fish exports from January to February for the past seven years.
“The export restrictions will involve species of fish popular among the people such as kembong (chub mackerel), bawal (pomfret), pelaling (Indian mackerel) and shrimp,” Faiz said after launching the “Bazaar Peduli Rakyat” Program (BPR) at a supermarket in Tabuan Jaya in Kuching City.
Malaysia’s Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers’ Organization Authority (LPP) launched the program to help low-income people buy food items including fish at a discount of five to 30 percent.
In 2020, LKIM will also impose export restrictions on certain fish from 15 April 15 to 15 June in conjunction with Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. The restrictions will include ikan selar (yellowtail scad), kembong (chub mackerel), selayang (sardines), bawal hitam (black pomfret), prawns, Bernama said.
Faiz said the country’s fish supply is on stable ground despite this year’s more severe monsoon season, since deep-sea fishermen were still able to fish, even though fishermen in coastal areas did not catch fish due to turbulent seas.
“So fish prices should not rise this monsoon season because fish supply is sufficient. So far from the reports we received, the price has been under control,” he said, adding that he hoped middlemen and traders would not raise fish prices.
Photo courtesy of Lano Lan/Shutterstock
