KOTA KINABALU: In the State Budget 2025, the Sabah Government has allocated RM38.60 million to the Department of Fisheries Sabah to enhance the development of the fisheries and aquaculture subsector.
Finance Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun announced that as part of an initiative to support small-scale marine aquaculture entrepreneurs, the Aquaculture Development Programme—covering both marine and freshwater systems—will be implemented. This program will provide essential materials and equipment assistance to 93 marine aquaculture entrepreneurs and 10 freshwater farmers.
To ensure the preservation of fishery resources, the Conservation Programme will continue into the next year, with plans to establish 10 new tagal units and artificial reefs. Additionally, the Marine Socio-Economic Development Programme will aim to increase the income of traditional fishermen by offering fishing equipment incentives and Skills Enhancement Training, targeting 150 fishermen.
The Department of Fisheries Sabah will also implement the Fisheries Biosecurity Control Programme, which will monitor marine biotoxins by increasing the number of samples analyzed to 1,200, including both fish and shellfish. The Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen Corporation (Ko-Nelayan) has been allocated RM17.6 million for operational expenses and to continue various development programmes and projects that will benefit the fishing community, as well as small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the aquaculture and fisheries industry.
Key initiatives include the Fishermen Income Enhancement Programme and the Entrepreneur Development Programme, which will collectively benefit 101 fishermen and small downstream fishery and aquaculture entrepreneurs across Sabah.
Furthermore, the Aquaculture Development Programme, Food Production and Fisheries Downstream Programme, and Fisheries Sustainability Development Programme will continue to protect the fisheries ecosystem, thereby enhancing food production and supporting food security initiatives.
Ko-Nelayan supports the Sabah Government’s efforts to leverage digital applications in response to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This will be achieved through the Information Technology and Innovation Programme, which includes two main projects: the Fishermen Entrepreneur Electronic Community (e-KAN), benefiting 20 micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs, and the Digital Fishermen (e-SMART) project, which will support 70 coastal fishermen.-BNN
