BINTULU: Two foreign fishing boats were detained for fishing in Malaysian waters, about 110 nautical miles north of Tanjung Sirik.
According to Bintulu MMEA director Capt (Maritime) Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, the two foreign fishing boats were detected around 2.50pm by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
They were detained around 3.15pm on May 15.
“The results of the inspection and search found that all the crew did not have valid identity documents.
“All the crew arrested, including the captain, are between 16 and 52 years old and are Vietnamese nationals.
“The seizure is estimated at RM1.5mil, including two boats, 700kg of mixed fishing equipment and 20,000 litres of diesel supply,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (May 18).
Capt Khairol added that the two boats were escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation.
The case will be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 which provides for a fine not exceeding RM6mil for the owner or captain and RM600,000 for each type of crew member if convicted.
