SEAFOOD and fish supply will likely rebound after the Chinese New Year festival and once the monsoon season ends, said a government agency in response to a report that the drop was due to lower subsidised-diesel quota for fishermen.

The Fisheries Development Department (LKIM) said the main reasons for the drop in supply are the festival and the ongoing monsoon season which prevents fishermen from going out to sea.

LKIM chairman Faiz Fadzil admitted that the government has reduced the supply of subsidised diesel by 25% from 80 million litres per month in 2018 to 60 million litres per month in 2019.

The reduction is due to the government’s current financial constraints, said Faiz in a statement to The Malaysian Insight.

Under the scheme, fishermen registered with the government are allowed to buy diesel from special LKIM jetties at a subsidised price of RM1.65 per litre. Diesel sold commercially is priced at RM2.18 per litre.

“Fishermen can still go to sea by using commercially priced diesel although the price is slightly higher. The reduction in diesel supply is not the main reason fishermen are not going to sea as they can still buy extra diesel at normal prices,” Faiz said.

“LKIM believes that there is less fishing because of the monsoon season in certain areas, especially the eastern peninsula, and the Chinese New Year festival. LKIM is confident that fishing operations will rebound after Chinese New Year.”

On 4 February, The Malaysian Insight reported that fishermen have reduced their trips out to sea due to a shortage of subsidised diesel and this has caused a drastic drop in supply of seafood and fish for Chinese New Year.

Malaysia Fish Industry General Association president Chia Tian Hee said LKIM did not consult the association before cutting the quota and had given out supplies based on the number of boats in 2016.

In 2016, only 795 fishing boats were given fuel but in January this year, the number shot up to 965 boats.

Chia said fishermen will incur huge losses if they are to make up for the shortfall in fuel by using commercially priced diesel at RM2.10 per litre.

One fisherman in Hutan Melintang, Perak, accused the government of being selective and reducing supplies for the port.

Faiz disputed this allegation, saying that the quota is based on the number of boats and vessels at a location.

“When boats or vessels move from one place to another, the quota for diesel at that place changes.”

Faiz said the government will continue to aid fishermen but added that it is limited due to its financial constraints.

“Although the quota was reduced by 25%, it was still given to fishermen. This is because we understand the challenges and risks fishermen face. But because there are financial constraints in the government’s efforts to repair the economy holistically, the subsidised diesel allocation had to be reviewed.” – February 6, 2019.