SABAH Chief Minister Shafie Apdal will seek a revision on the issuance of deep-sea fishing licences from the federal government, proposing the procedures must include approval from the state government first.

“Any approval from the federal Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry must get the consent of the state government first as we want to prioritise Sabah fishermen.

“These steps will not only need the revision of existing federal procedures but in the long run, will help the country control over-fishing,” he said after the launch of the 18th Fishermen Festival in Menumbok, 143km from Kota Kinabalu, today.

He said if the federal government complies with the request, the state government will have more control over the fishing industry in the state.

On another development, Shafie who is also the state Security Council chairman said, efforts will continuously be heightened to stop foreign fishing vessels from encroaching into state waters and disrupting the livelihood of Sabah fishing communities.

He also called for more effort to improve downstream activities related to the fishing sector.

“There will be no use if we can only catch fish and sell them; if we do not start up a cannery for sardines and whatnot,” he said. – October 28, 2018.