SABAH FISHERIES INDUSTRY TO MEET INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The government is making
efforts to improve facilities and provide necessary assistance to the fisheries
industry in the state so that East Malaysia state of Sabah seafood products can
meet international standards for export.

Sabah Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Yahya Hussin, commenting on the
call by seafood processors here for government assistance to tap into the
European Union (EU) market, however said this effort could not be done overnight
and would need some time.

"The state and federal government through the fisheries department are
cooperating towards this end, to have the seafood products recognised by
international bodies so that they can be exported to other parts of the world,"
he told reporters when asked about assistance including financial funding from
the government.

He said this after presenting the cost of living allowance to fishermen
under the Kota Kinabalu district, here Thursday.

Seafood processors in the state had said that they needed to improve their
facilities quickly to remain competitive and avoid losing out when the EU
started looking at other countries for imports of seafood products.

Yahya said the government had allocated a significant sum of money to
improve the industry here and was also organising seminars to impart knowledge
to fishermen on the international requirements for exports.

On another note, Yahya gave an assurance that there was enough fish supply
in Sabah for both local consumption and exports to peninsular Malaysia.

Asked about news of depleting fish supply due to over-fishing and
over-exportation of fish outside Sabah, he replied: "So far as my Ministry is
concerned, we haven't received such reports but on and off we heard stories like
that.

"To say there is depletion of fish (supply) in Sabah is untrue because we
have enough. The only problem is fish bombing and those using poison, although
it is not rampant.

"We do not want to deprive the fishermen of further income. We have enough
fish for local consumption so whatever is extra should be exported," he added.
-- BERNAMA