Seven Viet fishermen detained off Beluran
Published on: Tuesday, September 24, 2019
By: Winnie Kasmir
BELURAN: A Vietnamese fishing vessel with seven crew was detained for trespassing and illegal fishing off Langkayan Island on Sunday night.
Commanding officer of BN 20, ACP Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir, said the Vietnamese vessel was seized by the General Operation Force (GOF) Battalion 20 Beluran along with Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (Simca) enforcement team at about 9pm.
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“The fishing vessel bearing registration number of KG92620 TS was suspected of carrying illegal fishing at the Simca area which is out 7.19km from west Langkayan Island.
“All seven crew members failed to produce their identification documents. They also did not have permit to carry out fishing activity during curfew.
“Further investigation on the vessel found that the trawl net was cut, indicating they carried out fishing activity within the Simca prohibited zone,” he said in a statement to the media, on Monday.
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The fishing vessel and its equipment, estimated worth RM500,000 were confiscated. The crew members, aged between 30 to 50 years old, were taken to the Sandakan Marine Police Force Base for further action.
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The case will be investigated under Section 15(1)(a) and Section 25 of the Fisheries Act 1985. They will also be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.