Department of Fisheries Malaysia

What Department of Fisheries Malaysia does

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia) is a federal government agency under Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI/KPKM) that serves as the sole regulatory and development authority for the nation's fisheries sector. Founded in 1915 and headquartered at Wisma Tani in Putrajaya, the department oversees both capture fisheries and aquaculture, operating through 14 State Fisheries Offices and multiple District Fisheries Offices nationwide, with a workforce of 101-250 employees. Its mandate spans sustainable resource management, food security, marine park conservation, and industry development, supported by operational targets of 1.76 million metric tonnes under the Agro-Food Transformation Programme and an aquaculture growth rate of 8% per annum.

The department operates an integrated digital service ecosystem anchored on its e-services platform (eservices.dof.gov.my). Core systems include eLesen for electronic licensing with MFVR (Malaysia Fisheries Vessel Register) and QR code verification, eLogbook for catch documentation, VMS Web and AIS for vessel monitoring and maritime safety, MyDOFGIS for spatial data visualization, eKanMAS for resource protection, e-Rekreasi for recreational fishing registration, eSampan for boat permits, e-Agroperikanan for aquaculture entrepreneur programs, and conservation platforms including Penyu e-Mas, Reef Alert, Ghost-Net Alert, and DTIMS. Certification schemes (myGAP, myGMP, ASEAN GAqP, Fish Quality Certification), research via the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI), training through Akademi Perikanan Malaysia, and biosecurity enforcement round out the service portfolio.

As a public-sector entity, the department is funded through government budget allocations rather than commercial revenue, supplemented by limited fees from licensing, marine park conservation, and certification services. It serves diverse stakeholder segments including commercial fishermen, aquaculture farmers, fish processors and exporters, and recreational fishers, with international partnerships maintained through FAO, SEAFDEC (which it hosts), IOTC, and NACA. The department holds MS ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management and operates under a 50:50 policy balance between capture fisheries and aquaculture production.

Name

Department of Fisheries Malaysia

Legal name

Jabatan Fisheries Malaysia

Website

https://dof.gov.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia) is a federal government agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry that regulates and develops Malaysia's fisheries sector, providing licensing, vessel monitoring, certification, and digital services to fishermen, aquaculture farmers, processors, and exporters nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Fisheries Management Services

NAICS

Aquaculture (11251), Aquaculture (1125), Animal Production and Aquaculture (112), Other Marine Fishing (114119), Fishing (1141)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO), Aquaculture Health, Biosecurity & Veterinary Services (AFAEAAAK), Seafood & Aquaculture Certification Services (MSC/ASC/BAP) (AFALAMAL), Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE)

Keywords

• Fisheries management
• Aquaculture licensing
• Vessel monitoring
• Marine conservation
• Fisheries certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Putrajaya, WP Putrajaya

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Department of Fisheries Malaysia (Jabatan Fisheries Malaysia) is the government agency responsible for managing and developing Malaysia's fisheries sector. It delivers regulatory, licensing, monitoring, conservation, research, and digital e-government services for capture fisheries, aquaculture, marine parks, and biosecurity certification. Service delivery spans electronic licensing (eLesen), vessel monitoring (VMS, AIS), aquaculture development programs, marine resource conservation, and fisheries certification schemes.

Product overview

Department of Fisheries Malaysia operates a multi-platform digital service ecosystem combining government administration portals with specialized e-services. The portfolio includes licensing and vessel monitoring systems (eLesen, eSampan, VMS Web, AIS), catch documentation (eLogbook), training management (eLatihan), conservation platforms (Penyu e-Mas, Reef Alert, Ghost-Net Alert), and community programs (myKP). Supporting infrastructure includes MyDOFGIS for spatial data, V-Library for research, eKanMAS for resource protection, and PPIP/FIDTEC for technology incubation. Certification services (myGAP, myGMP, Fish Quality) and aquaculture development programs round out the service offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• e-Rekreasi: Recreation fisheries registration system
• MyDOFGIS
• Penyu e-Mas
• eSampan
• eLogbook
• eLesen
• VMS Web
• FishCom Hotline

Products and services

• eLesen Electronic Licensing System
• VMS Web Vessel Monitoring System
• AIS Automatic Identification System
• eLogbook
• eSampan
• e-Rekreasi
• eLatihan
• MyDOFGIS
• eKanMAS
• e-Agroperikanan
• myGAP Akuakultur Certification
• myGMP Certification
• Fish Quality Certification
• Penyu e-Mas
• Reef Alert System
• Ghost-Net Alert System
• Export Support Certificate Service
• Program Inkubator Pengembangan (Fisheries Incubator Program)

Quantifiable outcome

• 8% annual growth rate achieved in aquaculture sector development

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization collaboration for fisheries development, sustainable resource management, and food security initiatives. FAO provides technical guidance and international frameworks for Malaysia's fisheries sector development.
• SEAFDEC (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional fisheries organization providing research collaboration, training, and technical support for sustainable fisheries development in Southeast Asia. Malaysia hosts the SEAFDEC Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department.
• IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional fisheries management organization for tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Malaysia participates in tuna licensing and conservation management programs.
• NACA (Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional aquaculture development network providing technical cooperation, research collaboration, and capacity building for sustainable aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry providing policy direction, funding, and oversight for the Department of Fisheries Malaysia's operations and strategic initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Singapore Food Agency (SFA): Singaporean statutory board overseeing food security, including fishery product import regulation and aquaculture/fish farming licensing. Comparable as an ASEAN fisheries regulator with a strong focus on food safety certification and import/export controls.

Direct peers

• Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR): Philippine government agency under the Department of Agriculture responsible for fisheries management, aquaculture development, licensing, vessel registration, and marine park oversight. Highly comparable in scope, ASEAN regional context, and dual capture/aquaculture mandate.
• Indian Department of Fisheries: Indian government department under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying responsible for fisheries development, aquaculture, and licensing. Comparable in scale and dual capture/aquaculture mandate, and operates a Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana similar in spirit to DoF's Agro-Food Transformation Programme.
• Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA): Australian government authority responsible for managing Commonwealth fisheries, vessel licensing, electronic monitoring, and catch documentation. Comparable as a regulator with strong digital monitoring and IOTC engagement, similar to DoF Malaysia.
• Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP): Indonesian government ministry overseeing marine and fisheries resource management, vessel licensing, aquaculture, and marine conservation. Comparable as a Southeast Asian sovereign fisheries authority with similar regulatory breadth and scale.
• NOAA Fisheries (National Marine Fisheries Service): U.S. federal agency under NOAA that manages fisheries, oversees fishing vessel licensing, vessel monitoring, marine protected areas, aquaculture, and seafood certification. Highly comparable to DoF Malaysia in mandate (capture fisheries + aquaculture + conservation), digital licensing/monitoring services, and tiered state-level field structure.
• SEAFDEC (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center): Intergovernmental organization promoting sustainable fisheries development in Southeast Asia, headquartered in part in Malaysia. Highly comparable as a regional fisheries body covering research, training, and resource management, with overlapping mandate areas.
• Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries (D-FISH): Vietnamese government agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development responsible for fisheries management, aquaculture development, and seafood quality. Comparable in mandate for both capture and aquaculture sectors within the ASEAN region.
• Thailand Department of Fisheries: Thai government agency managing capture fisheries, aquaculture, coastal aquaculture health, and licensing. Comparable regional peer with similar dual mandate, certification schemes, and provincial office structure.

Others

• FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division: United Nations division setting global fisheries and aquaculture policy, sustainability frameworks, and technical guidelines. Closely comparable in mandate scope and a current DoF partner, though operates as an international body rather than a national regulator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dofmalaysia
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzAiTSnAdTuokaUR4YKFIJg
• Facebookfacebook.com/dof.malaysia
• Instagraminstagram.com/dof.malaysia
• TikToktiktok.com/@dofmy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/department-of-fisheries-malaysia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Department of Fisheries Malaysia