PRESS STATEMENT: The Penang Fishermen's Association Demands Sustainable Development and Coastal Community Protection from Candidates for the Penang State Election.
Penang Fishermen's Association
Press Statement
DATE: 4th AUGUST 2023
The Penang Fishermen's Association (Pen Mutiara) was established under the Fishermen's Association Act 1971, 50 years ago. It is an organisation that has the legal responsibility to represent and protect the rights and well-being of 6000 fishermen in Penang. Pen Mutiara is deeply concerned with the environmental issues plaguing our coastal communities. With that, we would like to issue this statement to draw attention to the Penang state election candidates about the urgent issues and demand immediate action from them. Penang's beaches and marine ecosystems face multiple challenges, including rampant reclamation projects, marine pollution, and inadequate protection for coastal fishermen. As representative of the fishing community, we call on the election candidates in Penang to give priority to the following demands for the advancement of our coastal community:
1. Stop reclamation projects in Penang: Uncontrolled and unsustainable reclamation activities in Penang threaten the marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of our coastal fishermen. We urge the Penang state election candidates to stop all proposed and recently approved reclamation projects and explore sustainable economic alternatives that do not jeopardise our environment.
2. Facilitate the growth of Blue Economy: The Penang Government must adopt and implement a Blue Economy strategy, where sustainable economic growth should be aligned with ocean conservation. For example, the marine ecotourism sector should be facilitated. Ecotourism operations such as homestay programs, flora, fauna and natural resource destination visits and fishing activities can stimulate the local economy and empower the Penang Fishermen's Association.
3. Conserve and preserve our marine ecosystem: Penang state election candidates need to include this commitment and take immediate steps to conserve and preserve our marine resources. Candidates must promise to implement stricter regulations so that marine pollution is reduced, important habitats are protected, and responsible fishing practices are encouraged. All of these are important for the sustainability of Penang’s coastal ecosystem.
4. Recognise fishing villages as Heritage Sites: Many fishing villages in Penang have valuable historical and cultural significance. For example, the Teluk Kumbar Fishing Village area which has a recorded history since 1880. We call on the winning candidate in this state election to recommend to the authorities that the fishing community area in Penang be made a heritage site. This is able to ensure the protection of coastal communities and preserve their traditions and way of life.
5. Establish climate resilience master plan in Penang: Climate change brings great challenges to Penang’s coastal communities. It is important for the state government to develop and implement a strategic plan that helps our coastal fishing community to adapt and be resilient to the effects of climate change. This includes providing the necessary infrastructure and resources, training, and support to ensure their livelihoods are preserved. The winning candidate must support and lead this plan. The Penang Fishermen's Association is committed to working with the elected candidates of Penang State elections to address the above demands and develop a fair and strategic plan for coastal fishermen that emphasizes sustainable development goals. By taking immediate action, we can protect the rights and livelihoods of coastal fishermen and ensure the long-term sustainability of our coastal communities.
Penang Fishermen’s Association
4th August 2023
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I'm all for "Sustainable Development and Coastal Community Protection", absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I see no need for harsh words for our fishermen, I have gone out fishing with the various communities all along Malaysia's coasts, they are fine folks - and they are poor. They are warm, friendly, caring, helpful... they often load our boats with hundreds of coconuts (for free in case you cheapskates need to know) when we go out fishing. They are relaxed people and some happily join us for booze-ups too.
We can do well with fishing tourism, there's good money in that, fishing is an expensive pastime. When you price in everything needed for an expedition for just a few days, that can easily come to over rm15, 000 bare minimum. Trips of between rm50,000 to 80,000 are quite common. Which explains why sometimes you can find posh cars in run-down fishing villages. The fishermen very often thatch palm leaves over the cars for their appreciative friends.
If you like eating fish, like fishing, like hanging out with friends on fishing trips, you can certainly try fishing, you might even make friends with some fishermen. But don't condescend on them, fishermen don't always understand your posturing or your cock talk.
If you are into kiasu cheapskate bargaining, there are always those "economy class" outings. Don't bring all your families, relatives, friends, and neighbours and try load them in one economy flight, boats can sink.
If you feel like the big man and real deal, always bring a sports bag loaded with cash to be at the ready to help out with repairs to boat engines, the fishermen don't beg you to help them out, if you see good engines lying around unused, a simple outboard engine repair starts at around rm3-500, no parts. The old ones like Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson begin at rm5-850 for a simple go over. Large engines like a Perkins start at at least rm3000 to be looked at. So if you come along with your generous buddies you can easily make a fisherman happy. And I haven't even talked about radars, sonar gear, echo sounders, or even navigation equipment! But no worries, a fisherman is often everything rolled into one person, you save plenty moolahs if one can put up with you.
On second thought, maybe you kiasu types should stay home, do your kiasu bargaining for fish older than four days and worse at the market, just stare at screens and talk disparate about fishermen...
Stupid - dis-ingenious statements from morons!! Take it at face value - fisherman are lazy lots - whining for freebies and too much self importance - never learning new skills. They should be building a large fleet and growing their business but this constant stupidity being managed by politicians from all sides, makes a mockery of those defending them. Don't like penang, get out of the state