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KOTA TINGGI: The Malaysian Maritime Control Agency (MMEA) detained six illegal Chinese fishing vessels in waters east of Johor and took all 60 people on board.
Tanjung Sedili area director Captain Mohd Zulfadli Nayan said ships from Qinhuangdao, China were spotted at two separate locations during MMEA’s Op Jaksa / Op Benteng operations around 9 a.m.Friday (October 9). ).
“We had previously received a notice from the Johor Port Authority about the ships that had entered illegally. Our patrol squad then found the vessels about 2.1 nautical miles and 2.3 nautical miles and three of them were found floating close to each other, ”he said.
He added that in total, the ships carried six captains and 54 crew members, all Chinese citizens between 31 and 60 years old.
Zulfadli said the 60 were arrested after failing to produce permits from the authorities to conduct activities and anchor in Malaysian waters, adding that the ships were also detained at the Tanjung Sedili MMEA for investigations.
“Managers and agents of foreign fishing vessels are advised to obtain valid permits from the Department of Fisheries before conducting any activity in our waters, including repairs and the transfer of gasoline,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 16 (3) of the 1985 Fisheries Act for failing to inform the department for entering state waters, which carries a fine of no more than RM6 thousand each and RM600,000 for each member of the crew on board.
Zulfadli added that the case was also being investigated under Section 491B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance of 1952 for illegal anchoring, which carries a fine of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
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