Today, there are more fishermen involved in fishermen's associations (Persatuan Nelayan, hereinafter referred to as PN) than ever before. In years to come, this trend may be further intensified along with LKIM's efforts to use PNs as a vehicle for the development of fishing communities. An important task to be undertaken by LKIM is to increase the awareness and knowledge of fishermen of the principles, aims and practices of PN to reinforce their participation.
The purpose of this Hand Book is to describe what fishermen's associations are, how they are organized, what they can do and how they relate to other types of organizations. We also look at some of the common principles and problems likely to be encountered in setting up and running PNs. PNs do not always work as well as the theory implies. Although there have been many inefficiencies and failures in the process of development of PNs, it is important to understand the reasons for them, not in order to show that PNs do not work, but so that we can anticipate the problems and so be prepared to deal with them. This Hand Book has been prepared based on the existing Acts and regulations concerning fishermen's associations in Malaysia.1
