The Department of Fisheries requires at least 30 days to assess Thai documents on suspended prawn import permits if information is complete.
KOTA BHARU: The Department of Fisheries (DOF) requires at least 30 days to assess documents submitted by the Thai authorities regarding the suspension of import permits (IPs) for five prawn species from that country, provided the information received is complete.
Director-general of Fisheries Datuk Adnan Hussain said the assessment is being carried out by a technical team established by the department to examine the information submitted by Thailand during the second phase of the process.
He said the technical team is expected to meet next week before any decision is made on Thailand’s application to resume prawn exports to Malaysia.
“The information is currently being assessed by the technical team. If the information provided is complete, we will require at least 30 days to evaluate every document and piece of information submitted.
“Once the assessment is completed, we will have a more comprehensive understanding of the information provided by the Thai authorities,” he told reporters after officiating the 2026 MyAgropreneur and MyKomuniti Fisheries: Eastern Zone Carnival here today.
Malaysia still maintains the restriction of IPs for five prawn species from Thailand, which has been in effect since June 1, while the technical assessment of the information submitted continues.
Adnan said the suspension is also aimed at ensuring prawns imported into Malaysia are free from diseases that could threaten the local aquaculture industry, as well as prohibited chemicals that contravene existing regulations.
He said Malaysia is also facing a reciprocal issue, as exports of locally farmed prawns to Thailand have not been permitted since 2017.
“In this regard, the DOF is strengthening its aquatic animal health control system and compliance with the country’s biosecurity standards to ensure locally farmed prawns meet Thailand’s market requirements, including being free from diseases and prohibited chemicals,” he said.
On May 16, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) announced the enforcement of a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) requirement for imports of seabass from Thailand, as well as a temporary suspension on imports of five prawn species from that country, effective June 1.
The suspension will remain in place until the Thai authorities submit a complete official response to Malaysia’s questionnaire, after which the information will be assessed by the relevant Malaysian authorities.
Meanwhile, in another development, Adnan said the licensing conditions under the Fisheries Act 1985 prohibit fishing vessels from being used for fuel smuggling activities, including being modified with additional fuel storage tanks or other structures for that purpose.
He warned that the licences of local fishing vessels may be revoked if their owners or operators are found to be involved in diesel smuggling.
“If the licence conditions are found to have been breached, action may be taken under the Fisheries Act 1985, including the revocation of the licence. The department will also review the licence status if the vessel owner is convicted of an offence under other laws,” he said.
He said amendments to the Fisheries Act 1985 also prohibit fishing vessels from unloading or transferring supplies, including fuel, at sea, and such acts constitute an offence under the Act.
According to Adnan, the DOF will continue to work closely with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Marine Police Force, and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) to combat fuel smuggling, while also encouraging the public to provide information.
Adnan said that although cases involving fishing vessels remain isolated, monitoring will be stepped up to ensure such activities do not become widespread, while enforcement against those who misuse fishing vessels for illegal activities will also be strengthened.
