MMEA seizes two vessels, nabs crew for anchoring illegally off Mersing

MERSING: Two fishing vessels were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for anchoring illegally at the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park here.

MMEA Mersing Zone Maritime Commander Suhaizan Saadin said the two vessels were detained 0.3 nautical miles (500m) west of Pulau Mensirip at 12.30pm on Saturday (June 10).

“The two B-class fishing vessels were detained during a routine patrol under Ops Jaksa and Ops Tiris," he said.

Suhaizan added that an inspection of the boat found that the vessel's crew had violated their fishing permit by anchoring inside the marine park, less than two nautical miles from the shore.

He added in a statement on Sunday (June 11) that both vessels were crewed by seven men aged between 26 and 55.

“The boat and the crew have been brought to the Teluk Gading MMEA jetty to help with investigations under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for violating the licence's terms, which carry a compound and revocation of licence upon conviction.