Brazen disregard for authority

2

Foreign fishermen continue to fish in state waters despite formation of task force to nab them

 

 

 

Fishermen, believed to be foreigners, prepare to unload their catch of bubuk.

MIRI: Foreign fishermen, believed to be Suluk from the Philippines, seem unfazed that a task force — comprising the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Immigration Department — is on a mission to apprehend them.

According to a local fishermen in his 40s from Batu Satu, Lutong, two fishing boats with foreign fishermen openly joined locals to catch bubuk (krill) near Kampung Batu Satu, Lutong-Kuala Baram road yesterday morning.

“These foreigners were seen catching bubuk with their longboats without fear that the authorities would take action against them,” the fisherman told thesundaypost upon returning from sea.

“These two foreign fishing boats are managed either by two or three people inside armed with pakak (nets suspended from the bow) in front of the boats when we spotted them at sea.”

However, he pointed out that only those in the two boats were spotted, while the other foreign fishermen are believed to still be hiding from the authorities.

“We hope the authorities will take action and stop their activities from damaging the fishing industry here including the bubuk season,” he added.

A check by thesundaypost found two longboats without Fisheries Department licence numbers by the shore.

Fishermen, believed to be foreigners, were later spotted carrying over eight trays of bubuk to shore for sale at newly-erected stalls nearby.

When contacted in Kuching, MMEA Miri chief enforcement officer Captain Abim Sunggom said his enforcement team is on the alert.

“The big vessel is currently at sea and we are waiting for the small MMEA boats to intercept these illegal fishermen,” he said.

He said MMEA will seize all their fishing gear and boats if they are found in Miri waters.

Meanwhile, the Fisheries Department seized fishing equipment from foreign fishermen at Lutong river mouth on Wednesday evening, but did not arrest any individuals.

“We seized the pakak gear and other fishing items and the place was empty but it was clear that they left in a hurry,” a spokesman said.

He said the department is working closely with the Immigration Department and MMEA.

Five bubuk stalls previously manned by foreigners near the Old Lutong Airport beach were seen abandoned and only stalls run by locals were operating.

Photo shows some of the abandoned bubuk stalls. In the background are stalls run by locals.