THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHING INDUSTRY IN PENINSULA MALAYSIA: ISSUES AND QUESTIONS

The fishing sector is one of the significant economic sectors in Malaysia. This sector plays an important role as a contributor of a source of protein, to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar, KDNK), employment, and in the development of upstream and downstream industries which are based on fisheries. Aside from this, the fishing sector also aids in the decrease of the importation of the nation’s food supply. The fishing sector in Peninsular Malaysia has experienced rapid growth. While the contribution to this sector has been significant, it has also created issues and questions that need to be addressed immediately. This article will discuss the developmental points of fishery in Peninsular Malaysia at various important historical stages, beginning with the fishing industry before foreign powers conquered Malaysia to the period after Malaysia’s independence. At every stage, the changes that took place in fishing technology, model, marketing, the role of the government and its investors will be discussed. This discussion will also be focused on the issues and questions that have emerged from the fishing sector including the issues of source wastage, over-exploitation, foreign fishermen, water pollution and fish supply from other countries. The paper will then be focused on the approaches taken by the government of Malaysia in its effort to ensure the country’s acquisition of a suitable supply of fish.