PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained three foreign fishermen encroaching Malaysian waters to harvest sea cucumbers yesterday.
The three including the skipper, were detained at 57 nautical miles off the Tok Bali beach here.
Kelantan MMEA director Captain Maritime Muhd Nur Syam Asmawie Yaacob said during the operation codenamed Ops Naga Barat and Ops Damai, 40kg of sea cucumbers worth about RM4,000 were also seized.
He said the agency's patrol vessel earlier spotted a green fishing boat at about 3pm and decided to approach them.
"However, the skipper then sped off and after a 30-minute chase, the MMEA officers managed to stop the fishing vessel at 57 nautical miles off the Tok Bali beach.
"Upon checking the vessel, they found three foreign crew members, aged between 30 and 38.
"All of them did not have any identification documents and could not provide permits to carry out fishing activities in Malaysian waters," he said in a statement.
He said the MMEA then seized the sea cucumbers, the vessel as well as the fishing equipment, all valued at about RM300,000.
It is normal for foreign fishermen to encroach on Malaysian waters to harvest sea cucumbers or locally known as "gamat" using damaging methods.
These fishermen use specially-made cages, measuring 5m in length and 1m wide, to harvest the sea cucumbers.
Those found guilty of encroaching into Malaysian waters to fish or harvest marine resources could face a fine of up to RM1 million and jail term of not less than two years under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Fisheries Act 1985.