MMEA detains five foreigners for illegal fishing off Kuala Baram

MIRI (July 28): Five foreign crew members, including the skipper who were on board a locally-registered fishing boat, were detained off Kuala Baram yesterday for violating the terms of their fishing licence.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri director Capt Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the boat was detected by the agency’s patrol team some 11 nautical miles west of Kuala Baram.

“When checked, the vessel was operated by five Indonesian crew members, including the skipper.

“Further checks found that the crew members were carrying out fishing activities less than 12 nautical miles from the shore, which was a violation of their licence,” he said in a press statement today.

He said the crew members were subsequently detained and their vessel was escorted to the vessel detention centre for further investigation.

The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1987.