MMEA nabs 37 Vietnamese fishermen for illegal fishing off Mersing waters

MERSING: Thirty-seven Vietnamese fishermen were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for illegal fishing off Mersing waters.

MMEA Mersing Zone Maritime Commander Suhaizan Saidin said they were apprehended 15.1 nautical mile (29.97km) northeast of Pulau Aur on Wednesday (Oct 11) at 7.30pm.

"The fishermen on board three fishing vessels were found to have encroached into the Malaysian territorial waters to conduct illegal fishing activities," he said in a statement.

Suhaizan said the fishermen aged between 18 and 66 years were detained during Ops Jaksa and Ops Tiris within Mersing waters, adding that they did not possess valid identification documents.

He said the fishing vessels also did not have documents issued by our authorities to carry out fishing activities in Malaysian waters.

"We also seized four thousand litres of diesel and 13,000kg of catch valued at RM2.5mil," said Suhaizan.

He said the fishermen were brought to Teluk Gading Maritime Post to assist with investigation and the case was being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and Immigration Act 1959/1963.

Suhaizan urged those with information on maritime-related criminal activities or accidents within Johor waters to contact the emergency line at MERS999 or Johor Maritime Operation Centre at 07-219 9404.