The Department of Fisheries had started to push TEDs on its own at another port in Peninsular Malaysia, mirroring the work of MRF, Sabah. Fishers were receptive and even came up with a modification to the TED that improved their catches whilst keeping turtles safe.

The director-general and MRF submitted the new TED design to the NMFS for testing. It was certified for use in fishing fleets worldwide. The success drove the TED process forward. Establishing a national steering committee that could develop a long-term implementation strategy was now needed.