Dewan Rakyat passes Fisheries Act 1985 amendments

KUALA LUMPUR: Tougher laws are upcoming for illegal fishing, as the Dewan Rakyat approved the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The bill, aimed at protecting Malaysia’s marine resources and cracking down on unregulated activities in its water, was passed via a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29).

A total of 29 MPs participated in the debates.

When winding up debates, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the bill aimed to serve as a reform in governing the fisheries sector, alongside ensuring its sustainability.

“It not only takes into account domestic needs but also aligns with international practices, positioning Malaysia as a country that firmly tackles IUU,” he said on Tuesday.

He said IUU fishing activities incurred losses of up to RM800mil.

He also said amendments to Section 26 are crucial towards curbing IUU fishing.

This section covers offences related to the use of explosives, poisons, pollutants, or any device using electric currents, as well as the use of prohibited tools.

Here, those found guilty can now be liable to a fine not exceeding RM250,000 or a jail term up to five years, or both, if convicted.

Other notable amendments include Section 16, requiring the captain of a foreign fishing vessel to notify authorities via electronic communication upon entering and exiting Malaysian fisheries waters.

Amendments to Section 27 would see the fine for offences here increase from RM5,000 to RM250,000.

The provides for the prohibition of any person from fishing, disturbing, harassing, capturing, killing, possessing, selling, buying, exporting, transporting, or storing any aquatic mammal or turtle or any part or derivative thereof found outside state jurisdiction.

The general penalty in all cases besides those involving foreign fishing vessels or local fishing vessels operating on high seas would be increased from RM20,000 to RM100,000.

This is done through amendments to Section 25.