MMEA detains four foreigners for illegal fishing in Tanjung Karang waters

KLANG: Four foreigners have been detained for allegedly working on a class B1 fishing boat off the waters of Tanjung Karang.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Siva Kumar Vengadasalam said the four were detained at around 8.30pm on Wednesday (May 17).

"The boat was spotted by an MMEA patrol boat about 6.1 nautical miles South-West of Tanjung Karang.

"An initial inspection found that the boat was operated by one skipper and three crew, consisting of Myanmar nationals aged between 40 and 53.

"They are believed to have only been out at sea for a day for fishing activities," he said in a statement on Thursday (May 18).

He said further inspection of documents onboard found that the captain and three crew failed to submit any valid identification document and fishing authorisation licence to the Fisheries Department director.

"Also found on the boat was about 50kg of assorted fish.

"The captain and crew were taken to the Pulau Indah Marine Police jetty before they were handed over to an MMEA investigation officer for further action," he said, adding that the case was investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and Immigration Act 1959/63.

He urged the public to contact the Selangor MMEA Operations Center at 03-3176 0627 or MERS 999 for immediate response.