Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF)

Every boat that legally casts a net in Malaysian waters answers, in the end, to one agency. The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (DOF) — Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia — is the federal body that manages the nation’s marine and aquaculture resources and licenses all fishing activity. It operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), administers the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317), and is led by the Director-General of Fisheries. Its headquarters is at Wisma Tani, Putrajaya, supported by a network of state and district offices.

What does DOF do?

DOF’s official vision is “to be the leader in the transformation of a sustainable and competitive fishery.” Its mission has three strands: developing a dynamic, market-based fisheries industry through creative and innovative approaches; managing national fishery resources efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner based on scientific information and good governance; and enhancing the delivery system through skilled, knowledgeable and professional human capital.

Its stated roles run from managing fishery resources on technical and scientific expertise, to increasing domestic food supply, generating income for target groups, contributing to national exports, implementing the National Agrofood Policy, and achieving food sovereignty through self-sufficient fish production.

What law governs it?

DOF’s principal statute is the Fisheries Act 1985 (Act 317), which received royal assent on 22 May 1985 and commenced on 30 May 1985 (except Part IX for Sabah, from 1 January 1986). Organised into eleven parts and 62 sections, it covers the conservation, management and development of maritime and estuarine fishing in Malaysian waters, plus protection of aquatic mammals, turtles and riverine fisheries. Under the Act the Director-General of Fisheries is the management authority: Part IV governs general licensing and Part V foreign fishing vessels. It has been amended by the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1993 [Act A854] and the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2012 [Act A1413].

Who needs a licence?

All fishing using equipment and boats or vessels in Malaysian waters is subject to the Act and must be licensed. DOF issues several categories:

Licence / permit	Covers
Vessel & traditional-equipment licences	Boats and traditional fishing gear
Deep-sea commercial (C2)	Deep-sea fishing operations
Tuna fishing (C3)	Tuna fishing operations
Marine culture (SKL)	Marine aquaculture
Fish aggregate device (MPPI)	Fish-attracting installations
Fisherman cards	Local and foreign crew

Crucially, the issuance of licences for Sampan, Zone A, Zone B and Zone C is frozen — only deep-sea (C2) and tuna (C3) licences remain available. Sampan licences, when issued, went only to a “genuine fisherman”: someone holding a DOF fishing registration card, directly involved in the industry for 120 days a year, with no other occupation.

How big is the sector?

Malaysia’s total fisheries production value in 2023 was RM16.5 billion, a 3.6% rise from RM15.9 billion in 2022. Edible fish production was 1.79 million metric tonnes (down 5.51% from 1.89 million in 2022), alongside 241 million pieces of ornamental fish and 26 million bunches of aquatic plants.

Broader context from peer-reviewed analysis: in 2022 the sector was valued at RM15.97 billion, contributing 11.6% of agricultural GDP and 0.8% of national GDP, and directly employed 149,630 workers. Production split 69% marine capture, 30% aquaculture and 1% inland, with a food-fish self-sufficiency ratio of 90.2%, per capita consumption of 46.22 kg, and 48,605 active fishing vessels.

What’s next

Confirm current licence procedures, fees and the sitting Director-General directly on the DOF portal at dof.gov.my before relying on them. The 2024 production figures and the department’s institutional history remain to be verified against DOF’s primary annual reports.