By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, Oct 18: Two fishing vessels carrying marine products and equipment worth RM500,000 were seized by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Miri) on Tuesday.
The two vessels had previous records of being detained over similar offences.
The crews comprising 39 Vietnamese including two skippers were detained by Miri MMEA. Eighteen of them had no identification documents or legal work permits,
The two vessels and their crews are currently detained under the Fisheries Act 1985, Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952/1960.
MMEA District 13 Director, Captain Md Fauzi Othman, disclosed the two vessels were spotted at 1.15pm about two nautical miles off Miri waters.
The first vessel was seized around 2.30pm at 45 nautical miles off Tanjong Lobang beach.
According to Md Fauzi the second vessel had tried to flee the scene, but after an hour-long pursuit, MMEA personnel managed to board and seize it.
MMEA also confiscated 15,000kg of marine products and fishing equipment estimated to be worth RM500,000. — DayakDaily
