PETALING JAYA: WHAT appeared to be a routine unloading at a quiet jetty in Bagan Sungai Pulai, Selangor, turned into an enforcement crackdown on selling of cockle seeds without valid permits.
In a statement, Selangor Fisheries Department director Noraisyah Abu Bakar said during the operation carried out by its Conservation and Fisheries Protection Branch at about 5.40pm on Monday (Feb 23), officers discovered 160 sacks of cockle seeds.
This follows land patrol and monitoring activities in the Sabak Bernam district.
Total seizure at the operation is estimated at RM107,500.
Noraisyah said officers found cockle seeds being unloaded into a three-tonne lorry at a jetty in the area.
“Further inspection revealed that no licence or authorisation documents related to the cockle harvesting activity could be produced during the checks,” she said.
The department seized the lorry, seven fine-mesh scoop nets, 160 sacks of cockle seeds and one document related to the transaction.
Four local men, in their 20s and 60s, were detained to assist in the investigations.
Noraisyah said the case was being investigated under Regulation 3 of the Fisheries (Cockle Conservation and Culture) Regulations 2002 for suspected removal of cockle seeds from natural or culture sites.
All seized items were taken to the department’s detention facility for further action, and the case has been handed over to the Selangor Fisheries Department investigating officer.
“Firm action would continue to be taken against any party found breaching fisheries laws, particularly those involving high-value marine resources such as cockles, which are an important source of income for local fishing communities.”
Anyone with information on illegal harvesting or extraction of fisheries resources is urged to provide details to the nearest fisheries office.
