The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has confiscated various goods valued at RM1 million, following the arrest of eight Vietnamese fishermen in Bintulu waters yesterday.
Bintulu District 12 director Maritime Commander Mohd Hambali Yaakup said the eight, comprising a skipper and seven crew members, were apprehended for illegal fishing in Bintulu waters.
In Op Permai at 11.30am yesterday, a Vietnamese boat was found fishing about 152 nautical miles from Bintulu Port, he said in a statement today.
He said the eight fishermen, aged between 25 and 50, were found to not have any identification documents, and did not carry any permit from the Fisheries Department.
The seizure, estimated to be worth RM1 million, included the boat, fishing equipment and eight tonnes of fish, he said, adding that those arrested were brought to Bintulu Port and the case would be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985.
2018 The Malaysian Insight