MMEA detains foreign fishing boat in Miri waters with catch worth RM1 mln

MIRI (July 9): The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained a Vietnamese fishing boat with catch valued at around RM1 million, about 141 nautical miles off Tanjung Sirik in Miri at around 12am last Friday.

Miri MMEA director Capt (Maritime) Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad in a statement stated that two crew members, including the skipper, aged 41 and 42, were also detained in a special operation dubbed ‘Operasi Khas Raja Laut’.

“The fishing boat is suspected to have entered the Malaysian maritime zone without authorisation from the Malaysian Fisheries Department director-general,” he added.

He further mentioned that the crew members are suspected to have committed an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985.

Mohd Khairol emphasised that MMEA will continue to enhance control and patrols to combat the encroachment of illegal foreign boats into Sarawak waters.

Additionally, he said MMEA will also not compromise with any party that engages in wrongdoing or criminal activity at sea.

For information related to misconduct or criminal activities and emergencies at sea, the public can contact the emergency line at 999 or MMEA Miri operation centre at 085-418204 or MMEA Sarawak operation centre (082-432544 / 082-432016).