Using Malay names, Malaysian flag on boats among new tactics of foreign fishermen

JOHOR BARU: Using Malay names for their boats and flying Malaysian flag on their vessels are among the tactics used by foreign fishermen to fool and avoid detection by the local authorities.
Tanjung Sedili Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) district director Capt (Maritime) Amran Daud said this was discovered with the detention of fishing boats from Vietnam in the waters of Tanjung Sedili, near Kota Tinggi, yesterday.
In a statement here today, he said the two boats were detained at 22 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Sedili at 12.05 pm and 12.28 pm respectively.
"The two Vietnamese fishing boats were registered under the names of Azam Baru 1 and Azam Baru 2, and had 23 crew members aged between 19 and 55.
"We have seized the boats and all fishing equipment with six tonnes of fish, all estimated to be worth RM450,000," he explained.
Amran said further investigation also found that the boats have no valid fishing licences and some crews were without valid identification documents.
The case is being investigated under Section 15 (1) and Section 16 (3) of the Fisheries Act 1895.
Amran also urged the public especially local fishermen with information about encroachment by foreign fishermen to contact the 24-hour Tanjung Sedili Maritime District Operation Centre at 07-8916595. — Bernama