PETALING JAYA: The country’s fish output is expected to decline slightly towards the end of the year as some deep-sea fishing vessels in Zone C2 have reduced operations following a sharp increase in diesel costs.
Fisheries department director-general Adnan Hussain said rising operating costs had forced some operators, who operate in waters more than 30 nautical miles from the coast, to temporarily suspend fishing activities as they could no longer absorb the higher fuel expenses.
“Zone C2 vessels do not receive subsidies unlike fishermen in Zones A, B and C, causing some vessels to be unable to operate due to the sharp increase in fuel prices at present,” Bernama reported him as saying.
“Thus, we expect a slight decline in fish output by the end of the year as these Zone C2 vessels are not operating.”
Speaking after the World Oceans Day 2026 celebration at Redang Island Marine Park in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, today, Adnan said C2 vessel catches last March stood at 13,300 tonnes compared with 16,200 tonnes in the same period last year – a decline of about 3,000 tonnes.
“Fish landings stood at about 18,000 tonnes in April, down from 21,000 tonnes in the same month last year, a reduction of nearly 4,000 tonnes,” he said.
Despite the decline, Adnan said the decline in output was not expected to affect the country’s overall fish supply as it could be offset by production from vessels operating in Zones A, B and C, as well as the aquaculture sub-sector.
“Although fish supply is expected to reduce slightly by year-end, it will remain stable and sufficient to meet domestic demand.”
Adnan said production from the capture fisheries sector continued to average between 1.2 million and 1.4 million tonnes annually.
He said the situation had been felt since March following increases in diesel prices in global and domestic markets due to geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia.
He said the fisheries department had not imposed any licence cancellations or licensing restrictions on C2 vessel operators who have chosen to cease operations temporarily.
