MERSING: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained 21 Vietnamese nationals on two boats for trespassing and illegal fishing.

       Mersing zone MMEA director Maritime Comm Khairul Nizam Misran said the fishermen were found about 62 nautical miles (114.8km) north-east of Kuala Mersing at around 10am on Friday (April 22).

       “The suspects, including the skippers of both boats, failed to produce valid identification documents when we approached them.

       “Besides detaining the suspects aged 16 to 62, we also seized the two boats which were carrying about 6,000kg of fresh catch and 5,500 litres of diesel, worth an estimated RM2mil in total.

       “We will not hesitate to take action against those who encroach into our waters for illegal fishing activities,” he said in a statement Sunday (April 24).

       He added that the arrests were part of MMEA’s Ops Khas Pagar Laut and Ops Khas Kuda Laut to weed out such activities.

       Maritime Comm Khairul Nizam added that all the suspects and seized items were brought to the Teluk Gading MMEA jetty for further investigations under the Fisheries Act 1985 for trespassing and fishing in Malaysian waters without a permit.

       The matter will also be investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/1963 for failure to produce valid identification documents.

       He reminded the maritime community to always follow the law or face the consequences otherwise.

       Those with information about illegal maritime activities can contact the Johor Maritime Operations Centre at 07-219 9404.