Smaller space for fishing activity - partly caused by land reclamation activity in southern Johor - has pushed Malaysian fishermen farther from shore and closer to Singapore's territorial waters.
GELANG PATAH, Johor: On a cool, breezy evening when there was nothing in the air except for the scent of fish and the call of prayer from the nearby mosque, Mr Nasir Harun stepped onto his boat by the jetty near a fishing village in Johor, and sailed into the open waters.
But in recent years, fishermen like him from the village of Kampung Pendas on the southern tip of Johor say stepped-up patrols by enforcement agencies along the borders with Singapore has made work “disruptive”. Faced with depleting catch due to the reclamation activity these fishermen say they also have to navigate the smaller space and ensure that they do not inadvertently cross the international boundary into Singapore waters.
SPF said that the fisherman was on board a vessel in Singapore Territorial Waters and was advised by coast guard officers to leave. According to statements issued by Singapore Ministry of Defence , the Singapore Armed Forces do conduct live-firing exercises in the area facing the Johor Straits. “I’ve been working on these waters for more than 10 years and I understand the sensitivities of territorial waters,” said the 42-year-old.
“We would have to wait, maybe between 20-30 minutes for these checks to be done before we can continue to work. At sea, this is not preferable, because time is money,” he added. There have been no media reports in both Singapore and Malaysia of detention or physical altercations between fishermen and border enforcement officials in the area.
“And there have been instances when engines break down and some fishermen float across, the coastguard sends them back until someone can tow them to Malaysia waters,” said Dr Serina.DEPLETING CATCH, DYING TRADE? “This is not enough to sell or make any money. I will just keep this for the family to cook a meal,” added the sole breadwinner of his family with a wife and three children.
Mr Nasir suggested that the lower volume of fish catch has been more apparent since land reclamation work has started on the south of Johor - particularly for the Forest City project as well as the Tanjung Pelepas Port. She added that climate change has also played a role - with fishermen in Kampung Pendas reporting warmer water temperatures, unusual movement of species as well as increased frequency of severe storms.ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION OVER MARITIME BORDER?
“The issue of maritime boundary raised by the Johor politician would have to be addressed by the federal government. Thus the onus will rest on Putrajaya to initiate the discussion with Singapore,” said Dr Koh. Both later agreed to suspend their overlapping port claims and revert to their former limits, as well as not to authorise and to suspend all commercial activities in the area, and not to anchor any government vessels there.
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