MMEA makes seizures worth RM1m in Bintulu waters

BINTULU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has confiscated various goods valued at RM1 million following the arrest of eight Vietnamese fishermen in Bintulu waters yesterday morning.
Bintulu District 12 director Maritime Commander Mohd Hambali Yaakup said the eight fishermen comprising a skipper and seven crew members were apprehended for illegal fishing in Bintulu waters.
"In Ops Permai at 11.30am yesterday (Jan 25), the Vietnamese boat was found fishing at about 152 nautical miles from Bintulu Port," he said in a media statement here today.
Hambali said on inspection, all crew members aged between 25 and 50 were found not have any identification documents and did not carry any Fisheries Department's permit.
"The seizure estimated at RM1 million included the boat, fishing equipment as well as eight tonnes of fish ," he said and added the fishermen were brought Bintulu Port and the case would be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985. — Bernama