The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has seized a fishing vessel and detained its skipper and four Vietnamese crew members for illegally fishing in Malaysian waters. According to Kelantan MMEA director maritime captain Syed Nor Adli Syed Abdul Rahman, the Vietnamese fishermen were detained during the Op Damai Khas Kuda Laut and Op Naga Barat patrol, about 173 nautical miles southeast of the Tok Bali estuary. The arrest took place at around 9:20 am on Monday. The fishermen attempted to evade arrest by throwing a rope into the sea to damage the patrol boat but failed.
Syed Nor Adli explained that upon inspection, it was discovered that the foreign fishermen, aged between 24 and 31, did not possess any valid identification documents. Furthermore, the vessel was found to contain around one tonne of marine catch. In addition to the catch, fishing equipment, navigation and communication devices, and 7,000 liters of diesel were seized. The estimated value of the seized items is approximately RM1.5 million. The case is currently under investigation and is being pursued under relevant sections of the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1963.
The Kelantan MMEA has previously detained a total of 23 foreign fishermen for encroaching into Malaysian waters, according to Syed Nor Adli. Out of the 23, 18 were Vietnamese nationals and the remaining were from Thailand. The enforcement agency continues its efforts to combat illegal fishing activities in Malaysian waters.
No additional details were provided in the news article.
