PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a fishing vessel from Vietnam, allegedly posing as a local boat by displaying a Terengganu registration number and flying both the Jalur Gemilang and the state flag.
Kelantan MMEA director Maritime Captain Kamal Mohamad said the vessel was spotted moving suspiciously during routine patrols under Ops Damai, Ops Naga, Ops Pelantar and Ops Tiris 4.0 on Saturday (April 18).
He said that upon being approached for inspection, crew members acted aggressively, throwing ropes, nets and barrels into the sea and refusing to comply with instructions to stop.
"Swift action by MMEA personnel led to the vessel being successfully intercepted and detained approximately 125 nautical miles off Muara Tok Bali,” he told a press conference at the MMEA office here on Wednesday (April 22).
The inspection found 13 Vietnamese crew members aged between 19 and 60, including a 42-year-old skipper, on board the vessel.
According to Kamal, further inspection found that the vessel had been carrying out illegal fishing activities in Malaysian waters following the discovery of an estimated 500 kilogrammes of catch.
He added that the vessel, its fishing equipment and catch, valued at about RM1.2mil, were subsequently seized.
Kamal said all crew members failed to produce valid identification documents, while the vessel is believed to have used a fake local registration number to mislead authorities.
He said the tactic was uncovered through differences in the foreign vessel’s physical appearance, including red markings on its body in contrast to the white markings used by local boats.
The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. – Bernama
