ILLEGAL TRAWLING IN SERANGOON RIVER AND THE JOHORE STRAITS

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he is aware of illegal trawling with boats powered by outboard motors in the Serangoon River and the Johore Straits which is seriously affecting the livelihood of fishermen in the area, and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the livelihood of those fishermen.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Tan Eng Liang) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Primary Production Department is aware of the illegal trawling activities in the Serangoon River and Johore Straits. The Primary Production Department with the assistance of the Marine Police, have been conducting enforcement action in this area. In 1976, the Department conducted a total of 55 operations. Four persons were arrested for illegal trawling along the Straits of Johore over the last three months, and legal proceedings are being instituted against them.

As a deterrent measure, the Fisheries Act was amended in 1973 to provide mandatory jail sentence for illegal trawlers.

The Department will continue to operate enforcement patrols against the illegal trawlers.