Agriculture and food industries minister Ronald Kiandee presented the empowerment letter to state agriculture and fisheries minister Jeffrey Kitingan here.

The handing over ceremony was witnessed by chief minister Hajiji Noor, and Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Maximus Ongkili.

Kiandee said previously, the vessel and fishing equipment licences in Sabah were approved by the fisheries department director-general.

In the process of returning autonomy over deep-sea fishing to Sabah and Sarawak, he said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) special council had agreed to devolve this authority to the fisheries directors in both states. This decision was reached at a meeting chaired by the prime minister on Oct 18.

This authority involves the issuance of Class C2 permits for deep-sea fishing vessels operating beyond 30 nautical miles from the shore.

“I hope this mutual decision will benefit both the federal and state governments, particularly in the management of fishery resources, marine safety and international relations,” Kiandee said.

“I believe this initiative by the government, through this devolution of powers, will protect Sabah’s interests.”

Kiandee said the fisheries sector has high potential to be developed further in the state, adding it had 30,486 fishermen landing 206,703 tonnes of catch, valued over RM1.2 billion, annually.