IPOH: Four Thai nationals have been arrested by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for fishing in an unauthorised area near the Kuala Kurau estuary in Kerian.
MMEA Kuala Kurau zone director Mohd Najhan Azman Hamid said the arrests were made on Monday (March 27) at about 10.40am.
He said a routine patrol by one of its enforcement vessels detected a fishing boat some 10.6 nautical miles south-west of the Kuala Kurau estuary and proceeded to inspect it.
"Upon inspection, we found four crew members from Thailand, including the captain, aged between 25 and 48 years old.
"The boat has a licence and permit to employ foreign workers but they have committed an offence by fishing in an unauthorised area as specified in the licence," he said in a statement Tuesday (March 28).
"About 160kg of fish and 500kg of fish fertiliser were found," he added.
Mohd Najhan said all crew members have been arrested while the boat, fishing equipment and catch were seized and brought to the Kuala Kurau jetty.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 8 (b) of the Fisheries Act for violating the licensing term.
"The MMEA is committed to enforce the law in the country's waters.
"Any complaints, wrongdoings or incidents at sea can be reported to the Kuala Kurau MMEA team at 05-727 9919 atau the 999 emergency line," he said.
