Malaysia and Indonesia agree to let straying fishermen go

Malaysia and Indonesia have always had a tense relationship though their people share similar cultures, religion and language. On a political scale, many disputes revolve around borders and what area of land or sea belongs to which country.

Indonesian fishing boat.

Fishermen from both countries have been taken into custody by the other for crossing maritime borders, especially those that are still under dispute. However, such arrests will cease after an agreement between the two countries recently.

According to a Bernama report from Nusa Dua, in Bali, fishermen who stray into their neighbour's countries will no longer be arrested but, instead, asked to leave. The guidelines were finalised after meetings between Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The report indicates that the maritime borders focus on five segments: two in the Straits of Malacca and one each in the Straits of Singapore, South China Sea and the Sulawesi Sea.

There is no problem of our fishing boat straying into foreign territory. We are moored off the east coast of Malaysia in Kuala Besut and the farthest we go is Redang Island, about six hours' away from the jetty. And there's little chance of bumping into illegal Indonesian fisherfolk either, given that Kalimantan is hundreds of miles away.

We might come across Thai boats plying the area but even that is rare. Thailand have rich fishing waters of their own and there is no need to come all the way to Malaysia.

Book your trip with us now. Squid is already flourishing in the waters off Besut though it is too dangerous for trips now because of the weather. However, enquiries are flowing in for the season's start in April so contact us now at fishingmalaysia@yahoo.com.

Sport fishing for whoppers by trolling

Trolling is a popular sport fishing method of catching big fish such as wahoo, tuna, sailfish and other whoppers.

A common strategy is to troll continuously around a reef with three or four rigs set up, from the back and the sides of the boat. The vessel simply drones around at about 4-5 knots while the fishermen wait patiently.

As soon as the sudden whirr of one line is heard, the other lines are reeled in and the fisherman whose turn it is sets himself up for the fight.

Sometimes, he may have a fighting chair, a fighting belt or just jab the butt of the reel into his abdomen.

While this is happening, the boat captain would kill the engine and start backing up to aid the fisherman. Of course, if two or more lines are hooked, it can be mayhem.

Trolling can be tense and exciting, especially in seas where there is an abundance of fish. The wait itself is mostly filled with silence as the fishermen immerse themselves in their own thoughts. And when the alarm sounds, it’s adrenaline-laced all hands on deck.

In Malaysia, it appears that trolling is not as popular as the local method of hooking live bait and letting it swim freely in the hope of attracting a monster.

Whatever method you prefer, the seas of Kuala Besut are populated with the kind of fighting fish that will surely have you pumped and ready for the challenge.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you fulfil your fishing dreams. Email fishingmalaysia@yahoo.com. (Picture from thehulltruth.com).

Captain's log - Malaysian fishing star in the making

Meet your captain, Yahya bin Ngah. He is the guy in the purple Baju Melayu, the traditional costume of Malay men in Malaysia. With him is his trusty side-kick Zamri.

These guys will be your sport fishing guides when you charter our fishing boat for your squidding or fishing excursion from April to September off Kuala Besut in northeastern peninsular Malaysia this season.

Yahya has been working extra hard to make sure the boat will be ready by April, even while his wife was giving birth to their third child (another daughter; that makes three girls).

He has just overseen repairs to the bottom of the vessel, where he patched up the hull and gave it a lick of white paint. He asked us what colour we wanted for the sidings and we told him to paint it the same colour as his costume.

He thought we were joking until we asked him if he found the colour yet. The boat is now back in the water awaiting work on the cabin, which will eventually feature sleeping quarters for at least seven. There will be separate cabins for men and women, for those who require such arrangements.

Anyway, Yahya is a top guy and is not like other fishing boat captains who send you to one place and stay there whether or not you catch any fish. He has a solid reputation as a captain and a fisherman. He wants you to catch fish and he will search every square metre of sea between Besut and the nearby islands for squid, fish and anything you want to catch.

Whether it is big fish such as wahoo, trevally and the like or bottom-fishing prizes such as garoupa or snapper, Yahya will help you find it.

Please make sure to book your tour with us ASAP because the season is approaching and the hordes will soon be making their way to Kuala Besut to be with Yahya and his crew. Contact fishingmalaysia@yahoo.com. See you in Besut.

Malaysians show increasing appetite for fish

Fish has been an integral part of the diet for Malaysians for centuries. And their taste for the sea’s main source of protein is increasing, a Bernama report said.

The report quoted Perak Fisheries Department director, Sani Mohd Isa, as saying that, according to a study, it is estimated that each Malaysian will be consuming an average of 55 kilograms of fish a year by 2020.

He said the figure was 45 kilos in 2000 and 50 kilos in 2005. The greater demand is mainly owing to the increase in population, creating a stronger need for fish.

Malaysia is blessed with fertile coast surrounding most of the country, so there is a vast source of fish. But Isa maintained that ocean capacity is at its maximum and encouraged breeding at rivers and lakes to increase supply.

The seas off Kuala Besut in the northeast of Malaysia is a rich source of fish for eating and for sport. Garoupa, snapper and other bottom-fishing creatures are plentiful as well as bigger fish such as wahoo, trevally and sailfish, for those who enjoy a good fight with rod and reel.

Come April, our boat will be ready for excursions. You can fish around the clock or camp overnight at one of the many islands off the east coast.

The first three months of the season, from April to June, however, is great for squid jigging. Folks have come away with bucket loads of squid. Book early because we expect a lot of squid this season. Email us now at planetnaz@yahoo.com

Keeping sharks off the dinner table

Sharks are among the wonders and the scourge of the ocean, depending on how one views them. For others, they are a delicacy, or at least their fins are. But it looks like attitudes are changing.

Sharks’ fin soup is a specialty dish in Chinese restaurants around the world and demand for the thick, jelly-like strands, which admittedly is very tasty, has resulted in millions of sharks being killed each year.

Sport fishing is also responsible for a number of shark deaths, though it has much less of an impact.

Of course, suggestions of double-standards would be hurled at those who criticise the killing of sharks for the soup bowls yet condone the consumption of other types of fish. However, the difference here is that the majority of the fish caught end up on the dinner table in whole.

Sharks are often caught only for their fins. These predators of the ocean would be caught, de-finned and thrown back into the sea. Unable to swim, they would simply sink to the sea floor and die.

Conservation group WWW estimates that 73 million sharks are killed each year and that there are more than 180 shark species on the endangered list, compared to 15 in 1996.

After years of campaigning by global NGOs such as WWF, it appears that people are willing to start sacrificing their soup to help sharks survive. Some shops, restaurants and hotels have even given up selling shark fin.

According to an AFP article, restaurants in Asia are experiencing a decrease in the number of customers demanding sharks' fin soup.

“Yes, we do see an increasing number of locals and international businesses saying no to shark’s fin,” said Elaine Tan, chief executive for environmental group WWF in Singapore, told AFP.

A Black-Tip shark off Redang Island on Malaysia's east coast.

“This change in attitude could be due to an increasing awareness of the plight of sharks as well as the result of many shark campaigns worldwide.”

Hong Kong diners represent about 50 per cent of global consumers of sharks’ fin soup. Recently, the grand Peninsula Hotel took the dish off its menu.

China’s best-known pro basketball player, Yao Ming, has helped the cause by swearing off sharks fin.

This is certainly good news for sharks. Divers will know the feeling of awe when spotting a shark during dives. Hopefully, industry players can find a balance between sustainability of species and culinary delights from the depths to ensure that the creatures of the oceans are plentiful while those of us on land can still savour the tastes of delicious seafood.

Fishing report: new boat set for Besut launch

Sport fishing in Malaysia is one of the best ways to relax and have fun. Alhamdullillah, we have been blessed with the opportunity to have our own fishing boat and we cannot wait for the squidding and fishing season on the east coast of Malaysia to start.

One of the best places for sport fishing in Malaysia is off Kuala Besut in Terengganu, just a few miles from the state of Kelantan. This is where our 47-foot boat will be moored.

But remember, it is a fishing boat, not a luxury yacht. So while it will be as comfortable as possible with sleeping bunks for about eight people and a toilet, it is designed for fishing. Therefore, don't expect a queen-sized bed, room service or a bouncy mattress.

However, we are trying to build two cabins for five people and three (or four) so, for Muslims, men and women can be separated when they sleep. Air-conditioning is another plus we hope to install.

We are still in the renovation stage. At the moment, the workers are stripping the paint and adding a lick of green, which is the mandatory colour for vessels moored in Kuala Besut.


We are hoping to have the boat ready for April, when the squid season starts. Join us in our journey as we update you on how the boat is coming along.