KUCHING: Two Vietnamese fishing boats were seized and 29 boat crew were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for encroachment and illegal fishing in Sarawak waters.
It was the third encounter to date by Sarawak MMEA with foreign fishing boats for encroachment and illegal fishing in Sarawak waters.
During a media conference at Kompleks Maritim Tun Abang Salahuddin (Komtas) Sarawak MMEA deputy director (operations), Maritime Commander Hamiludin Che Awang said, “In an operation on illegal fishing boats in Sarawak waters, Sarawak MMEA managed to nab two fishing vessels originated from Vietnam and the 29 boat crews will be charged under Section 15(1) (a) of the Fisheries Act, 1985.”
He added that the crews of the Vietnamese vessels failed to produce any document, identification and fishing permits.
“With help from local fishermen who spotted the foreign vessels at sea we were able to nab these illegal fishing boats in action.
“The total assets seized is worth RM2 million comprising the two vessels and three tonnes of illegal fish caught,” he added.
Also present were Sarawak MMEA deputy director (investigations) Maritime Lieutenant Commander Dzulfikar Ali and Sarawak MMEA senior assistant director (Carilamat and Disaster unit) Maritime Lieutenant Commander Musli Jaffar.
For any information or complaints, the public can reach the Maritime hotline at 082- 432544 or 24-hours Hotline at 999.
