Malaysia is surrounded by the oceans and long coastal lines that enable direct access to fishing activities. The fisheries resources comprise the different species that are the result of marine biodiversity richness, and this brings return to the fishermen.

However, issues involving the fishermen who are mostly in the B40 group have frequently been discussed at various levels. These fishermen being in this group is in contrast to the oceanic wealth owned by the country.

Technological development is expected to help the fishermen, who are the main stakeholders in the country’s protein source supply chain. Innovations in fishing gears have the potential to provide a big positive impact on fishermen’s catch especially the traditional fishermen along the coast.

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said the efforts taken by UMT to help the fishermen through its research are line with the focus of the university’s establishment.

“UMT was first established as a fisheries centre in the 70s. Many new discoveries found by UMT researchers have been transferred to the fishermen especially the communities in Besut and Setiu.

UMT has been responding to the call by the Ministry of Higher Education, which wishes that research is translated to society; so, it has organised knowledge transfer programmes for the target groups and monitored their progress to ensure each innovation provide an impact to the involved community.

He said UMT researchers study the fishermen’s routine and conduct sampling activities in the oceans to achieve accurate analysis.

Meanwhile, fishing gear expert Dr. Mohd Fazrul Hisam Abd Aziz said researchers need to play their role in creating innovations to help increase the fishermen’s income.

“We produced three fishing gears, including a fish aggregating device, that have been registered as industrial design rights and one as copyright last year through research and innovation involving the fishermen community. Most of these gears already exist, but they do not have special features specific to certain marine lives.

“Researchers carry out innovations to be suitable to specific species, such as crabs, squids, prawns, fish, and to the sizes of the catch. In addition, innovations are also assisted by data obtained from the use of latest technology, such as scientific ecosounder, and specific skills possessed by the fishermen.

Dr. Fazrul said the new gears can help increase the fishermen’s income, reduce bycatch, and maintain the sustainability of the marine ecosystem for future generations.

UMT is in the process of producing a prototype of a new special boat that has modern features for the coastal fishermen.

The building of the boat is part of UMT’s effort in helping to increase the quality of life of the coastal fishermen and to control fish stock and minimize the destruction of the environment from the use of fuel such as petrol.

The modern and efficient boat may attract youths to venture in the field of fisheries that have been previously considered as not bringing high return.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu