POLITICS OF THE TRAWL FISHING INDUSTRY IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA, 1965-2005

Trawling is one of most sophisticated fishing tools nowadays. By using this tool, a country can succeed in increasing its total annual fish landing tenfold. Currently, more than 60% from the total national fish landing came from trawling. However, if used inappropriately, it can dim the future of the country’s fishing industry. This paper will briefly discuss the contribution of trawling in Malaysia’s fishing industry, since its introduction. This paper will focus more on the existing problems caused by trawling, including the extinction of fish resource, conflict among coastal fishermen and trawlers, increased labor from foreign fishermen, initial pressure of food crisis and others.