BY AINI SELIKANG
TANJUNG MANIS: Fishermen in this district have received equipment assistance worth RM111,000 from the government for the Organic Agriculture Project under the Food Security Fund (DJM).
Of that amount, a total of RM50,000 was given to downstream fisheries product operators in Paloh, RM30,000 (Kedang) and RM31,000 (Jerijeh).
“Recipients will receive processing equipment, stainless steel tables, freezers, insulation boxes, packaging and labelling tools and many more.
“With this assistance, it can help increase production as well as improve the economic status of households, especially fishermen around Tanjung Manis,” said Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh at an event here, on Friday (Oct 15).
Elaborating further, he said based on data from the Fisheries Department, this year, Sarawak has 352 traditional licenced fishing vessels operating in Zone A waters where 224 belong to boat licences holders and the rest are A licences (using engines) holders.
Meanwhile, a total of 571 registered fishermen have been recorded in Tanjung Manis of which, Belawai has 288 fishermen, Jerijeh (23), Rajang (56), Kedang (62) and Paloh (142).
“This assistance will help recipients to increase their family’s income,” he said, adding that a total of 17 fishermen in Tanjung Manis have received special boat licences.
During the event, a total of 3,000 13g tiger prawn seeds were released into the public waters of Pantai Belawai.
