22 Vietnamese Fishermen Detained For Illegal Tuna Fishingff
5 April 2007
Malaysia Twenty-two Vietnamese fishermen were detained earlier this week along with two fishing vessels on suspicion of illegally fishing in Malaysian waters.
The Maritime Enforcement Agency intercepted the vessels on April 2 about 12.45 am at Beting Raja Jarum, 120 nautical miles off Miri.
â€It is our first major victory since the agency was established here last year. The fishermen aged between 15 and 47 will be charged in court in accordance with the law,†said Captian Ismail Bujang Pit, the chief enforcement officer.
Maritime vessel KM Tabah was on a routine patrol when they were informed by local fishermen of the presence of foreign fishing vessels bearing the registration BD9702 BTS and QNG98309 TS.
Rawai and floating nets were used during the fishing. Some 500 kg of fish including tuna, shark and stingrays were confiscated.
Captain Ismail anticipated a lot of arrests from now until October with the fishing period in season.
â€Sarawak waters is a favorite fishing ground for foreigners, particularly the area where the Vietnamese were caught, as it is still untapped by local fishermen.â€
He anticipated between 10 and 20 foreign vessels fishing illegally on a daily basis in the area, with past aerial surveillance showed as many as 40 vessels.
