Malaysian Efforts in Combating IUU Fishing: A Legal and Policy Review

Abstract

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing may occur on the high seas or within a national jurisdiction. Several factors were identified as contributing to the occurrence of IUU fishing activities, among which is poor governance marked by limited and overlapping enforcement by related authorities. With very limited regional enforcement bodies and the absence of a regional multilateral agreement, IUU fishing is difficult to overcome. It means that issues relating to overfishing and other fishing conflicts like foreign vessels intrusions and use of illegal fishing methods will continue to be a problem. This paper identifies the Malaysia's legal framework governing IUU fishing, as well as relevant international and regional laws and policies. The paper also discusses the devastating effects of IUU fishing to the global fish stocks and national economy. Although the existing framework is considered comprehensive, it recommends further stringent and fair law enforcement to combat IUU fishing in Malaysia's waters.

Colony size frequency distribution across gradients of reef health in disturbed coral reefs in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia

“…However, monitoring of fishing activities and enforcement of policies is limited (Kimura et al, 2022). Despite legal protection from fishing pressure, over-and illegal fishing is a significant problem in Malaysia (Stodbuzki et al, 2006, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, 2008Ghazali et al, 2019). Low numbers of herbivorous reef fish have been documented around Pulau Lang Tengah, whereby total herbivorous fish abundance was lowest at leeward sites (Chew, 2018, unpublished data), suggesting elevated pressure on leeward coral reef resilience and colony size in view of reduced herbivorous grazing (McClanahan et al, 2001;Green and Bellwood, 2009).…”