FISHERIES (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.43 p.m.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, the Bill that is before the House seeks to amend the Fisheries Act (Chapter 294 of the Revised Edition) with a view to providing a more exemplary penalty for trawl-net fishing within the territorial waters of Singapore. Trawler operations of late have increased to such an extent that they are not merely a destructive nuisance but have deprived many a coastal fisherman of his livelihood. Furthermore this method of fishing, whereby a vessel tows a net shaped like an open bag, is to be particularly condemned because of the manner in which immature and unmarketable fish, prawns and other forms of marine life are destroyed, when used in our shallow coastal waters. In addition to taking away almost everything in its path, the trawl-net drags away and destroys the fishing gear of our coastal fishermen and breaks their lines and nets. These operations have resulted in numerous complaints being made to the authorities, and despite a series of raids carried out to apprehend trawlers fishing within our territorial waters, this method of fishing has not abated.

Hon. Members who are aware of this problem have no doubt looked up the Fisheries Act only to find that the legislation has provided relatively light sentences for such offences. This is because coastal water trawling commenced only a few years ago with only a few trawlers operating. But their numbers have since increased sufficiently to constitute a problem. One of the main reasons for the increase of such activity is the fact that the penalties imposed by the courts were not sufficient to constitute a deterrent, so that convicted trawler men continued to repeat the offence.

In order to effectively prohibit this practice of trawl-net fishing within our coastal waters, the Government has decided to introduce the amendments now before the House. Their main purpose is to provide for the imposition of a more salutary punishment upon those found guilty. Under the existing Act any person convicted of an offence under the Act, including trawling in coastal waters, is liable to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment. The court may also order the confiscation of any vessel or appliance used in the commission of the offence. However, in practice, none of those convicted has so far been jailed and no vessel or appliance has been confiscated. The Bill seeks to amend the Act so that it shall he compulsory for the courts to impose on anybody convicted of inshore trawling a mandatory term of imprisonment of not less than three months and not more than three years, without the option of a fine. It also provides that the courts may make an order for the confiscation of any vessel, net, instrument or appliance used in the commission of the offence on the written application of the Public Prosecutor.

Finally, the Bill confers on police officers the same powers as fishery officers to stop, search, detain and arrest any person found committing or attempting to commit an offence under the Act. This will enable the Marine Police to assist the Primary Production Department more effectively in its efforts to stamp out coastal trawling.

It is our hope that with these amendments to the Fisheries Act, a wasteful and destructive method of fishing within our territorial waters will completely cease or at least be reduced to negligible proportions.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to thank the Minister for introducing this Bill. The illegal trawlers regularly come to our coastal waters to catch fish, and this affects the livelihood of our fishermen. I hope the Marine Police will detail more boats to patrol our coastal waters so as to prevent these illegal trawlers from fishing in our coastal waters.

Mr Barker: Sir, I am not in charge of the Marine Police. But with the amendments proposed in the Bill, which give police officers the same powers as fishery officers, there will be more police patrols.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. --[Mr Barker].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.