Twenty-three Vietnamese fishermen have been detained for investigation after they were caught for illegally fishing in state waters by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).

Its Kuching deputy director for operations Shahref Steve Mac Queen Abdullah said the foreign fishermen were caught on Monday afternoon after being spotted operating from two trawlers about 100 nautical miles northwest from Tanjung Sirik.

“An MMEA patrol vessel detected the two vessels operating illegally in state waters around 3.50pm on Monday. The skippers and crew, totalling 23 individuals, were then escorted to the Tun Salahuddin Maritime Complex in Muara Tebas for further investigation,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

According to Shahref, it was still unclear how long the foreigners had been operating prior to their detection and capture, although Monday’s arrest was the first such case this year.

He added that the value of the seized trawlers and their contents had yet to be ascertained.

“MMEA welcomes information from the maritime community regarding any illegal activities, which can be channelled via our 24-hour hotline at 082-432544.”

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Gary Adit

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