SEBUYAU: The federal government will establish two more fishermen markets in Sarawak this year, disclosed Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Thus far, 21 fishermen markets have been established in the state to help fishermen increase their income through direct sale to consumers.
By getting rid of the middleman, not only is fish at the fishermen market cheaper but fresher and of better quality as well.
“It costs around RM200,000 to establish a fishermen’s market. In a fishermen’s market, the fishermen can sell their catch directly to customers,” said Shabery at the Majlis Ramah Mesra Pemimpin Bersama Masyarakat Nelayan here, yesterday.
Shabery informed the fishermen that all those who had registered with the ministry are under insurance coverage until the age of 80 years, in order to ensure their survival.
“The fee is charged at only RM150 for a one-year period which can be made through deduction from the fishermen allowance received.
“Through this insurance, the coverage for every fisherman is RM221,150,” he explained.
Meanwhile, a total of RM1.8 million was distributed to 731 recipients of the Sea Fishermen Living Allowance and a sum of RM204,000 was for the Land Fishermen Living Allowance for this year.
At the event, children from six fishermen families were selected to receive school assistance from the Sebuyau Fishermen Association (PNK) while four others received the disaster relief and welfare assisitance under from the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM).
There was also the presentation of Boat Licence Certificate to 22 people and the Land Fisherman Registered Certificate to 130 reicipients from the Batang Lupar Parliamentary Constituency.
Shabery also handed over a mock cheque of RM760,000 to 76 land fishermen recipients as special housing assistance.
Accompanying Shabery were Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Sri Rohani Abdul Karim, State Minister of Utilities, Dato Sri Stephen Rundi Utom, Beting Maro Assemblyman Razali Ghapor and the Director General of Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), Datuk M. Saedon Ab. Majid.
Later, Rohani and Shabery jointly released 1,000 tiger shrimps, 10 adult sea bass and 1,000 sea bass fries at the Sebuyau Passenger Terminal.
