KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has strengthened its fisheries laws with the enforcement of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2025, aimed at tightening action against illegal fishing activities and safeguarding the country's marine resources.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2025 [Act A1780], which came into force on June 15, introduces new provisions and enhanced penalties under the Fisheries Act 1985 [Act 317] to curb Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, strengthen enforcement, and ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector.
Fisheries Department director-general Datuk Adnan Hussain said the enhanced legislation sends a clear message that Malaysia will not tolerate the illegal exploitation of its fisheries resources.
"Act 317 is not merely about increasing penalties. It is an important instrument to protect the nation's marine resources and ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector for future generations.
"There will be no compromise against anyone who encroaches on, damages or steals the country's marine treasures.
"Stronger enforcement is crucial to ensure fisheries resources remain protected, the welfare of law-abiding fishermen is safeguarded, and the country's food supply remains secure," he said.
Among the key amendments is a significant increase in penalties for offences related to IUU Fishing and destructive fishing practices.
The general penalty under Section 25 has been raised from RM20,000 to RM100,000, while offences involving the use of explosives, poisons, pollutants, electric currents and prohibited fishing gear under Section 26 now carry a maximum fine of RM250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
Penalties for disturbing aquatic mammals and turtles have also been increased to a maximum of RM250,000 to strengthen marine biodiversity protection.
The amendments further impose fines of up to RM1 million for offences affecting marine parks and marine reserves.
In addition, any marine park whose gazetted status is revoked must now be replaced with a new area of equivalent size and ecosystem value.
The law also empowers the director-general of fisheries to bar offenders whose licences have been revoked under Act 317 from applying for new licences for up to five years.
Another new provision allows authorities to prohibit fishing activities in polluted waters, including areas affected by harmful algal blooms or chemical contamination, to ensure seafood safety.
At the same time, the government has adopted a more balanced enforcement approach by reducing the minimum compound rate for minor offences from RM500 to RM100.
Fishing without a licence using traditional fishing equipment can now be compounded, providing a more practical enforcement mechanism without compromising compliance with fisheries regulations.
To enhance the competency and readiness of enforcement personnel, the Fisheries Department also conducted its 2026 Shooting Skills Test Programme at the Kubang Pasu district police headquarters in Kedah today.
The programme involved 72 enforcement officers from 14 conservation bases nationwide.
The department said it remains committed to defending the country's fisheries resources through stronger enforcement, the use of technologies such as the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Automatic Identification System (AIS), as well as strategic cooperation with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Royal Malaysia Police and Royal Malaysian Navy.
Tags: Fisheries Act 1985, Fisheries Amendment Act 2025, Illegal Fishing, IUU Fishing, Fisheries Department, Marine Conservation, Food Security, Marine Parks, Datuk Adnan Hussain, Fisheries Enforcement
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