Fishing During RMCO (Recovery Movement Control Order: What You Need To Know
By The Angler
Anglers rejoice! 10th June 2020 marks the loosening of CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order) to RMCO. This means that as of 10th June 2020, we are allowed to take out our shiny rods, reels, hooks, lures, and even sinkers, and bring them to our favourite pond to do some fishing. Why shiny yet the word new was not mentioned? Well, some of us have been busy polishing our rods, servicing and polishing our reels, even polishing our hooks, lures, and sinkers; over and over for the past three months. Hahaha…
While more forms of recreational fishing activities are allowed in the RMCO phase, including earlier (CMCO) not allowed pond fishing and paypond fishing; what is said is that recreational fishing activities (including commercial ponds) is allowed. Only activities that will pull a crowd to gather is not allowed. So, no fishing competitions just yet.
Despite the freedom to fish again, remember that all SOPs are to be adhered too for our own safety as well as that of the nation’s. One thing to note is this; although the in this stage called the RMCO, almost everything is back to normal. But not the normal that we once know. It is the new normal. This includes how we travel, the emphasis of this article.
Travelling is a big part of fishing. We travel to fishing spots. We travel by car, planes, trains, boats, etc. It is not unusual for us to share transportation when we go on fishing trips. Fishing buddies share vehicles all the time as this not only makes the journey a lot more fun. It also brings down the cost in terms of money as well as the carbon footprint of the trip. In short, it is more efficient.
[ What about sitting arrangements on boats? We know that wind carries viruses and bacteria. Hence we want to limit or avoid the collection of bacteria and viruses while the boat is gunning towards a certain destination. ]
Sitting positions and locations inside a boat has to be planned ahead of time.
New Norm Policies
As mentioned earlier, the restrictions to fish and travel interstate has been lifted. But policies still remain. When we share a ride, we can no longer share the way we used. This means that, riding shotgun (sitting on the passenger seat up front) is not allowed. Sharing the same seat at the back is also not allowed. Pay attention to the illustrations below (Illustration 01). Sitting will have to be in a diagonal format. Also note that all passengers must be from the same household (same house) and this must be proven should one be stopped by the police.
What about going out to sea by boat? I did read somewhere that the Department of Fisheries (Malaysia) recommends cutting down by 50%, the amount of persons on a boat. So instead of 6 to a boat (including boatman), it will now have to be 3. Of course it depends on the size of the boat. This information in unconfirmed but it is a good practice.
Illustration 01: Sitting positions allowed during RMCO when travelling in car and multi purpose vehicles (MPV).
What about going out to sea by boat? I did read somewhere that the Department of Fisheries (Malaysia) recommends cutting down by 50%, the amount of persons on a boat. So instead of 6 to a boat (including boatman), it will now have to be 3. Of course it depends on the size of the boat. This information in unconfirmed but it is a good practice.
What about sitting arrangements on boats? We know that wind carries viruses and bacteria. Hence we want to limit or avoid the collection of bacteria and viruses while the boat is gunning towards a certain destination. Where can we sit to be somewhat safer? Also how can we sit? Needless to say, the use of a mask and eyewear is important and a mask is part of the SOP. But if we can further avoid the distribution of viruses, the better. Perhaps the sitting configuration in pic 2 can be employed depending on the boats configuration.
Pic 2: Sitting positions on a fishing boat. Note that the person sitting on the bow (front) is separated from everyone else. He or she is sitting outside the enclosed cabin and cockpit.
Based on pic 2, perhaps it is better for the three anglers sitting in the shaded area to be facing the stern of the boat whilst the angler in front can face the bow (access door up front – closed). Boatman in his or her usual driving spot and position. Perhaps these sitting configurations can make boat fishing safer.
As for the sitting placement on the boat while fishing, perhaps a diagonal pattern as shown in pic 3 will be good to follow, to adhere to social distancing guidelines. On bigger boats perhaps a more usual sitting pattern can be used depending on width as in pic 4.
Pic 3: A diagonal sitting positions or configuration on a fishing boat when the boat has stopped and anglers are fishing.
What about fishing on small boats? Perhaps fishing on a lake or pond using a fibreglass boat? Social distancing is at least 1 metre or 3 feet in between two persons. That is more than possible on a 5 to 6 footer boat. It is possible to do so, limited to two anglers in a boat. One up front on the bow and the other right at the bow. But what about things like tackle boxes, rods, water ice boxes or cooler boxes, etc. that usually sit between both anglers? Something to think about.
Anyway the above are just my views. It is good news nonetheless that fishing on ponds and payponds is finally allowed under the RMCO. Just ensure to follow the SOPs put in place by the government to help ensure that the spread of the virus is curbed and hopefully the virus is wiped off the face of this earth soon.
Pic 4: More normal sitting positions or configuration on a a big fishing boat where the width of the boat allows social distancing to be practiced comfortably.
Standard Operating Procedures – From Department Of Fisheries (Malaysia)
Commercial Pay Ponds
Opening hours: 6am to 8pm
Operational hours with anglers: 8am to 6pm
Workforce: 100%
All fishing ponds (pay ponds) that would like to operate during the RMCO period must register with PBT (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / local area authority or local council) & DOFM (Department Of Fisheries Malaysia).
All visitors must register prior to being allowed entry. Registration includes date, time, visitor name, and contact number. The usage of MySejahtera app is recommended.
Sanitization of premise must be done daily before the start of operations and at the end of operations.
The area (pay pond) must provide hand sanitizers at the premise or a place such as a sink (with soap or hand washing liquid) for visitors to wash their hands.
Constant checking and monitoring of premise (pay pond) to ensure that all visitors (anglers) and workers wear a mask.
Ensure social distancing of one metre (1m) is adhere to. Allocated or designated fishing spots must be clearly marked.
Age of anglers allowed into the premise: 18 to below 60 years of age.
Should a positive COVID-19 case be reported, all operations must seize until further notice from KKM (Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia / Ministry of Health Malaysia) and MKN (Majlis Keselamatan Negera / National Security Council).
*Fishing events that draws a crowd and competitions are no allowed.
Fishing On Lakes – House Boats
Operational hours allowed per time: No more than 2 days, 1 night
Operational hours allowed per group: No more than 2 days, 1 night
All house boats that would like to operate during the RMCO period must register with PBT (Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan / local area authority or local council) & DOFM (Department Of Fisheries Malaysia).
All visitors and renters of house boats must registered. Registration includes date, time, visitor name, and contact number.
Sanitization of premise must be done daily before the start of operations and at the end of operations.
House boats operators must provide hand sanitizers at the premise or a place such as a sink (with soap or hand washing liquid) for visitors to wash their hands.
Constant checking and monitoring of premise (house boat) to ensure that all visitors and workers wear a mask.
House boats are only allow a capacity of 50% persons onboard.
Ensure social distancing of one metre (1m) is adhere to. Allocated or designated fishing spots must be clearly marked.
Age of anglers allowed into the premise: 18 to below 60 years of age.
Should a positive COVID-19 case be reported, all operations must seize until further notice from KKM (Kementrian Kesihatan Malaysia / Ministry of Health Malaysia) and MKN (Majlis Keselamatan Negera / National Security Council).
*Fishing events that draws a crowd and competitions are no allowed.
Sea Fishing – Boat Fishing
Operation hours: 6am to 7pm
Operational hours with anglers: 7am to 6pm
Workforce: 100%
All vessels that would like to operate during the RMCO period must get the approval of Jabatan Laut (Marine Department Of Malaysia) and register with DOFM (Department Of Fisheries Malaysia).
All anglers and those aboard must registered. Registration includes date, time, visitor name, and contact number.
Sanitization of vessel must be done daily before the start of a trip and at the end of the trip.
Hand sanitizers or a place such as a sink (with soap or hand washing liquid) must be made available on the boat for all onboard to use.
Constant checking and monitoring on of boats to ensure that all onboard wears a mask (including boatmen and deckhands).
Boats or vessels are only allow a capacity of 50% persons onboard.
Ensure social distancing of one metre (1m) is adhere to before boarding the boat, during the trip, and at the end of the trip.
Age of anglers allowed: 18 to below 60 years of age.
*Fishing events that draws a crowd and competitions are no allowed at sea.
Contact us
For more information or should your have enquiries, do drop us an email.
