Three boats worth RM4.5 million were detained off Penang for fishing zone violations and other Fisheries Act offences
GEORGE TOWN: Three boats suspected of encroaching into a fishing zone off Penang were detained during Ops Periksa conducted by the Batu Maung Fisheries Conservation and Protection Base last Thursday.
Penang Fisheries Department director Azimah Jumatli said the three boats were spotted fishing when the patrol team arrived at the location early in the morning.
“Checks found that the boats had committed offences under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
“Among the offences were fishing outside the permitted area, using nets with mesh sizes of less than 38 millimetres (mm), and employing foreign workers on local fishing vessels without Fisheries Department approval,” she said in a statement today.
Azimah said the total value of the seizures involving the three boats was estimated at RM4.5 million.
She said the department would continue protecting the country’s fisheries resources to ensure their sustainability, while ensuring that fishermen operating in national waters, particularly off Penang, comply with the regulations.
“We will not compromise on any misconduct involving fishing activities at sea,” she said.
