KUCHING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) engaged in two separate chases with two Vietnamese fishing boats which were spotted trespassing and fishing in national waters off the coast of Tanjung Sirik on Sunday (Mar 20).
The agency eventually managed to intercept both boats and detained a total of 33 crew members including the skipper, aged between 19 and 60. They also failed to produce any valid identity documents.
MMEA Sarawazak director First Admiral (Maritime) Zin Azman Md Yunus in a statement, said the boats were spotted fishing without a valid permit at about 120 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Sirik.
“The first boat was detected around 6.30am by KM Arau which was patrolling around Beting Patinggi Ali waters. The team chased after the boat, which lasted almost four hours, and successfully intercepted and detaineed the boat.
“After that, at around 11.30am, the team detected a second boat and it took almost an hour for KM Arau to intercept and detain the boat.
“Based on the physical structure of the boats, they are suspected to be Vietnamese fishing boats,” he said.
Zin Azman added that inspections found that the boats did not have any documents and licence from the Fisheries Department to carry out any fishing activities in national waters.
Both fishing boats and its crew members were escorted to the MMEA Vessel Detention Centre, Tun Abang Salahuddin Maritime Complex (KOMTAS) jetty in Muara Tebas for further action.
Also seized were fishing equipment, about 22,000 litres of diesel and approximately 30 tonnes of catches. The total seizure value including the boats, was estimated to be worth around RM2.5 million.
He said the case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for not having any valid documents to fish in national waters.
The suspects are also being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for failing to submit any valid identity documents.
