MMEA nab 22 Vietnamese fishermen

PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tok Bali 10th Maritime District here nabbed 22 fishermen from Vietnam and seized two deep sea trawlers for encroaching into Malaysian waters in the South China Sea.
Its enforcement chief, Maritime Commander Khoo Teng Chuan said both trawlers were caught at 90 nautical miles off Tok Bali beach while they were fishing at about 11am last night.
"MMEA also seized about two tonnes of fish fertilizer and dried squid, valued at between RM50,000 and RM150,000, from the fishermen which is believed to be for the Vietnamese market," he told reporters at the MMEA Tok Bali 10th Maritime District office here today.
He said the fishermen, aged between 20 and 40, would be charged under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
Up to date, he said MMEA Tok Bali 10th Maritime District had arrested 203 Vietnamese for the offence while seven tonnes of seized dried squid, valued at RM134,850 were auctioned off. – Bernama