The Penang Fisheries Department in Malaysia has successfully seized 350 dragon fish traps (bubu naga) worth around RM35,000 in June alone in several operations to curb the use of the banned fishing devices.
State Fisheries director Noraisyah Abu Bakar said the dragon fish trap was strictly prohibited as it had more than two fish entry points.
Some of the dragon fish traps are about 20m long and have definitely more than two entry points.
The usage of the traps has a negative impact on fish resources as fish fry and small fish will enter the traps. Sometimes, parenting fish will enter the dragon fish traps, which will affect the sustainability of fish resources.
Besides, the usage of this trap will cause misunderstandings and arguments between dragon fish trap fishermen and traditional fishermen who use drift nets (pukat hanyut).
On Thursday, the Penang Fisheries Department successfully detained a fishing vessel which uses dragon fish traps at 0.3 nautical miles from Kuala Sungai Changkat and seized 13 dragon fish traps.
The case is being investigated under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985, she told reporters at the department in Batu Maung yesterday.
Noraisyah added that 350 dragon fish traps were seized in five different operations in June.
In the first operation on June 6, 77 dragon fish traps were seized in the waters off Teluk Kumbar.
A total of 89 traps were seized in the second operation on June 9 in the waters off Batu Kawan.
During the third operation on June 15, 85 traps were seized in the waters off Batu Kawan, Juru and Teluk Kumbar.
The fourth operation was carried out on June 22 and 85 dragon fish traps were seized in the waters off Batu Kawan, Sungai Belanak and Bukit Tengah.
During the fifth operation on Thursday, a 58-year-old fisherman with a drift net licence was arrested along with 13 dragon fish traps in the waters off Kuala Sungai Changkat.
Those caught using the traps could be charged with illegal fishing under the Fisheries Act and, if convicted, fined not more than RM20,000 or jailed not more than two years, or both, she added.
The Fisheries Department has seized 370 dragon fish traps from January to May.
Last year, there were 53 such cases where 841 dragon fish traps were seized.
The figure was much lower than the 119 cases and 1,149 traps seized in 2018.
Noraisyah said the department viewed the usage of dragon fish traps seriously and strived to ensure that such methods were eradicated.
The department would like to remind all fishermen not to attempt fishing using illegal traps in accordance with the enforcement of the Fisheries Act 1985.
The fishermen must ensure that all rules and procedures are followed in order to avoid facing legal action in the future.
The dragon fish traps seized will be burnt and disposed accordingly, she added.
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