ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 1,264 units of banned dragon trap (bubu naga) fishing net worth more than RM150,00 between January and November in the Kuala Kedah waters zone.
Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said that in the latest seizures, the agency seized 208 units of the dragon trap nets in five separate locations between Yan and Kuala Kerpan in two weeks.
"Throughout the patrol rounds, MMEA discovered various tactics to cover up the banned fishing nets laid in the waters such as keeping on shifting their locations and using various marking items such as plastic bottles, sticks and GPS tracker on each of the 10 metres length 'bubu naga'.
"All the dragon trap fishing nets with estimated value amounting to RM25,000 were seized for further investigation under Section 11(3)(c) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
"The latest seizures brought the total dragon trap nets seized in Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone at 1,264 units valued at more than RM150,000 between January and November," she said in a statement.
Azreyanti urged those with information on illegal activity in the Kuala Kedah waters to contact MERS 999 or the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone operations centre at 04-7310579.
Authorities have banned dragon trap fishing nets, predominantly sourced from overseas, citing their detrimental impact on marine ecosystems.
The prohibition stems from concerns over the severe consequences these nets inflict on fish seeds, shrimp, crabs, and other marine life.