Body says Suluks still dodging authorities

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Photo shows two Suluk fishing boats berthed along the Miri River, which were detected by the Fisheries Department recently.

Photo shows two Suluk fishing boats berthed along the Miri River, which were detected by the Fisheries Department recently.

MIRI: The Miri Fishermen’s Association claims there are still some Suluk fishermen who have managed to evade the authorities.

Association chairman councillor Jamali Basri appealed to the Immigration Department and other relevant agencies to continue enforcement efforts.

“We want the enforcement agencies to monitor these foreign fishermen’s illegal fishing activities,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

According to Jamali, local fishermen have reported a drop in the number of foreign fishermen but claimed some still continue to defy the authorities.

He said this could be because it is currently a good season for fishermen around Miri and Bintulu waters.

There are over 1,000 fishermen residing in Kuala Baram, Lutong, Kampung Piasau Utara, Kampung Pulau Melayu, Bakam and Sibuti registered with the Miri Fishermen’s Association.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency 13th District commander Mohd Hambali Yaakup said agency personnel are conducting patrols from Tanjung Batu in Sibuti, Tukau up to Lutong and at the Kuala Baram border.

He said the agency has yet to detect illegal foreign fishermen, but would continue to work closely with other relevant authorities.

It is understood that some Suluk fishermen have been spotted using boats bearing tourism licence numbers to mask their activities.