GEORGE TOWN: Maritime authorities detained a Malaysian-registered trawler boat for ferrying three Thai fishermen off Penang waters here yesterday.
In the 5pm incident, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Authority (MMEA) conducted a spot check on the boat and discovered that the boat was carrying the foreigners, which is illegal.
Penang District Two MMEA enforcement chief First Admiral (M) Kamaruszaman Abu Hassan said although the boat was licensed, the hiring of foreigners was illegal under the Fisheries Act 1985.
“We first spotted the boat at about 9 nautical miles west of Pulau Kendi. We then stopped them for spot checks and found all three men, including a skipper to be Thai nationals.
“Their boat and 150kg catch were then brought to Batu Maung LKIM jetty for further investigation,” he said in a statement today.
Kamaruszaman said the three men, aged 46 to 53 will be further questioned to find out who had employed them.