Trawling Ban In Malaysia May Hit Seafood Supply In Singapore

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MALAYSIA’S impending ban on trawling in Zone B waters, set for 2030, will significantly impact Singapore’s seafood market, which relies heavily on Malaysian imports of pomfret, threadfin, and prawns.
The ban, aimed at combating overfishing and restoring marine ecosystems, is expected to slash prawn production by 80% and fish production by 30% in Zone B, a key fishing area.As Singapore sources much of its seafood from Malaysia, alongside Indonesia and Vietnam, the reduced supply could drive up prices and force reliance on alternative suppliers.
Malaysia will enforce a trawling ban in Zone B waters, spanning five to 12 nautical miles from the shoreline, starting in 2030 to address overfishing and protect marine ecosystems.
The ban, initially planned for 2020 but delayed due to appeals and the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to reverse declining fish stocks and restore habitats damaged by unsustainable fishing practices.
Zone B accounts for 22% of Malaysia’s 2024 marine catch, which dropped 10% to 1.42 million tonnes since 2016.
Trawling, which uses nets that scrape the seabed, has been blamed for destroying marine habitats and killing juvenile fish, with over 60% of trawl landings consisting of “trash fish” used in aquaculture.

The ban is expected to reduce prawn production by 80% and fish production by 30%, impacting species like pomfret and threadfin. This could affect seafood supplies in neighbouring countries, including Singapore, which relies on Malaysia as a key supplier.
The Department of Fisheries Malaysia has reduced Zone B trawlers from 4,800 in 2021 to 1,604 in 2023 through an exit plan, offering owners payments to retire, switch to purse seine fishing, or move to deeper Zone C waters.
A 2025 study will assess the impact of these reductions on fish stocks.
Fishermen, particularly in Perak, home to 40% of Zone B trawlers, face challenges like declining catches, piracy, and reduced diesel subsidies.
The ban adds pressure to an industry struggling with youth disinterest. A recent X post by a Malaysian fisheries official emphasised the ban’s role in ensuring “sustainable seas for future generations”.
While seafood prices may rise, the long-term ecological benefits are deemed critical to preserving Malaysia’s marine biodiversity. — Focus Malaysia

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