IPOH: The Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained two local fishing vessels and seized 106 banned bubu naga (fish trap) in the waters of Batu Tanjung Hantu near Lumut.
Perak MMEA director Maritime Capt Mohamad Shukri Khotob said the arrests were made on Sunday (Aug 23) for carrying out fishing activities without a valid licence and using prohibited fishing equipment.
In the first incident, a vessel was detained at 2.12 am 3.9 nautical miles (7.23km) north-west of Batu Tanjung Hantu while MMEA vessels were carrying out patrols and enforcement under Ops Sayong, Ops Pintas, Ops Khas Tanjung 2 and Ops Tiris.
"An inspection found two crew members including a Malaysian skipper, aged 24 and 45, on board the vessel.
"Initial investigation indicated several suspected violations of ... the Fisheries Act 1985 for not having a valid fishing licence and using and possessing unauthorised fishing equipment, namely bubu naga," he said in a statement on Monday (Aug 24).
Capt Shukri said the crew members were arrested, while 19 units of fish traps were seized and the vessel was escorted to the Kampung Acheh Fishing Jetty to be handed over to the investigating officer for further action.
In a separate incident on Saturday (Aug 22), another local fishing vessel was stopped at 2.58am 3.4 nautical miles (6.3km) north-west of Batu Tanjung Hantu for the same offence.
"Three crew members, including a Malaysian skipper, aged 38 to 42 were on board the vessel.
"An inspection found bubu naga traps and it was suspected that the crew did not have a valid fishing licence.
"All three were arrested, while 87 units of bubu naga were seized," he said. – Bernama
