The two vessels (above and below) caught by MMEA Miri.
MIRI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here seized five tonnes of fish worth RM50,000 after detaining two vessels for fishing illegally off Miri waters.
MMEA Miri commander Mohd Fauzi Othman said the vessels were spotted roughly 98 nautical miles from Tanjung Lobang, here on Aug 19.
“An MMEA enforcement team detained 24 Vietnamese nationals, comprising the two captains and crew members, who are aged between 21 and 39,” he said yesterday, adding both vessels bore local registration numbers.
The two vessels and its crew were later brought to the MMEA depot at Kampung Pulau Melayu here for further investigation.
Meanwhile, Miri Fishermen Association chairman Cr Jamali Basri thanked MMEA Miri for its swift action to curb illegal fishing activities in Miri and Sibuti waters.
He said reports by local fishermen to the association last month showed that there were indeed illegal fishing activities here.
“The fishing community here wishes to thank the relevant authorities, including the state government, for their concern towards the interest of the fishermen, “ he said.