MMEA DETAINS FOREIGN FISHING BOAT INTRUDING INTO TERENGGANU WATERS

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu branch of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a foreign boat attempting to intrude into state waters after a one-hour chase yesterday afternoon.

Its director, Maritime Captain Hamiludin Che Awang said that in the incident at noon, the trawler boat carrying three crew members, including the skipper, was detained approximately 144 nautical miles from Kuala Terengganu.

He said that when they were detected, the crew members, aged between 19 and 45, were pulling their nets to catch seafood.

The foreign vessel attempted to ram the MMEA patrol boat to avoid being detained before fleeing.

“However, after a chase of nearly an hour, our members were able to apprehend the foreign fishermen who were actively trespassing in the Terengganu waters," he said in a statement today.

Hamiludin said an inspection revealed that the boat was operating without a licence and valid documents, in addition to using unauthorised fishing gear.

According to him, the total estimated seizure, including boats, diesel and fishing equipment, is around RM1.5 million.

The crew members and the vessel have been brought to the agency’s jetty in Kuala Terengganu for further investigation under the Fisheries Act 1985 and related laws.

If convicted, the boat owner can be fined a maximum of RM6 million for trespassing into Malaysian waters or fishing without a valid permit. Meanwhile, each crew member can be fined a maximum of RM600,000," he added.

-- BERNAMA