A Vietnamese fishing vessel with five crew members who allegedly encroached the waters of Brunei Darussalam for illegal fishing was detained by Royal Brunei Navy personnel, said officials.
The vessel and the five Vietnamese crew, including the captain, were handed over to the Marine Police, Royal Brunei Police Force for further investigations.
Marine Police Commanding Officer Superintendent of Police Mahran Ahmad announced this at a press conference.
He said this was the first case of illegal fishing by a foreign vessel detected in Brunei waters this year.
He said if found guilty under Section 17(1) of the Fisheries Order 2009, the vessel’s captain would be fined not more than B$100,000 (RM306,420) or five years’ imprisonment or both, while the crew members would be fined not more than B$2,500 (RM7,660) or a year’s imprisonment or both.
The case is under investigation.
The Marine Police Commanding Officer also requested the public to inform the police of any criminal activities in the waters of Brunei Darussalam. — Borneo Bulletin/ANN
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