Search

Two local fishing boats detained

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
The fishing boats that were spotted by MMEA.

MIRI: Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained two Class C local fishing boats for various offences in two separate incidents on Tuesday (Aug 25).

Miri Maritime Zone director Maritime Captain Md Fauzi Othman said the first arrest was made around 8.05am by Maritime Ship (KM) Siakap while conducting a “Ops Naga Timur” patrol about 4.0 nautical miles from Muara Sungai Miri waters.

MOH personnel conducting Covid-19 test on one of the detainees.

“The team found a local captain and five crew members who were Indonesians aged between 35 and 53, on board.

“One crew member was found not having any approval permit from the Fisheries Department and was arrested,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Fauzi added that the second arrest was made around 9am by Penggalang 23 boat that was carrying out “Ops Permai” and “Ops Benteng” in Sibuti waters.

During the inspection, the local captain had submitted an expired licence book and the fishing boat did not have an approval permit for using a foreign crew from the Fisheries Department.

“The boat was operated by a captain and a crew of four Vietnamese aged between 34 and 47.

“Both boats were escorted to the pier of Vessel Detention Centre, Pulau Melayu Miri for further investigation,” he told.

The case will be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for not having an approval permit for the use of non-citizen crews as well as the submitting expired fisheries licence book.

All the detainees have undergone Covid-19 screening test by the Health Ministry (MoH) as a precautionary measure.

In the meantime, MMEA will continue to increase the enforcement of maritime law in the country’s waters.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.