CHILDREN OF FISHERMEN URGED TO TAKE UP FISHERIES

SEBUYAU (Malaysia), Sept 6 (Bernama) -- The federal government is making efforts to get children of fishermen take up fisheries as it is an attractive option to earn a living.

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Deputy Minister Rohani Karim said this was one way of helping fishermen with large families to leave poverty as fisheries could turn into a lucrative family business.

"Problem is their children particularly those highly educated are not
willing to help parents in catching and selling the catch but would rather do other jobs with less income.

"They are put off by the dirty nature of fishing and tiring job despite
knowing it can get their families out of poverty," she told Bernama here
Saturday.

The ministry had implemented several schemes to help the fishing community
particularly youths by exposing them to modern methods.

She said children of fishermen who could not land permanent jobs or pursue
higher education should parents in catching fish to bring in more family income.

"Malaysia has some successful fishermen and farmers. The most important
thing is interest and confidence in the industry not just to earn a living but
as a business," she added.

There are about 70,000 fishermen in the country.

The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry was allocated RM6.5
billion under Budget 2009. Of the amount, RM2.7 billion was earmarked for
agriculture development.

Rohani also said the ministry plans to introduce a mini Malaysian
Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) in all the
states.

The MAHA concept could be incorporated into the annual Farmers' and
Fishermens' Day celebration.

She said this followed the success of MAHA 2008 last month where sales of
RM9.6 million were registered compared to RM6 million in 2006.
--BERNAMA