Sabah fisheries installs special markets, combats vessel cloning tactic

Sabah Fisheries Department is currently installing special markers on 51 deep sea fishing licensed vessels to combat fishing vessel cloning in the waters of Sabah.

Sabah Fisheries director Dr Ahemad Sade said the one-month long operation, which began today, would equip these vessels statewide with a special identity code that could be read via mobile phone by using the Quick Response (QR) code application.

"It is aimed at giving special recognition to each licensed fishing vessel in order to prevent cloning of the vessel," he told reporters after installing special markers on five vessels here today.

He said the special markers would also assist the enforcement agencies at sea, especially the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), marine police and Ports and Harbours Department to better identify fishing vessels operating in the Sabah waters.

"In addition to facilitating enforcement work, it also enables easier license renewal processing," he said, adding that the special markers were different from the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) installed in all licensed fishing vessels nationwide.- BERNAMA