MERSING: The Fisheries Department detained 15 Vietnamese crew members on two Vietnamese-registered boats and seized RM3 million worth of items from the vessels during an operation on waters off Pulau Aur here today.
A statement from the department said a 12-member enforcement team, led by Osman Mohamad, had checked on the two foreign boats when it ventured 12 nautical miles off Pulau Aur during the operation at 4.30pm.
"The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for catching fish without approval from the Fisheries Director-General," said the statement.
The latest operation comes after a case where enforcement team had detained four foreign-registered boats using trawling nets on waters of Sedili and Tanjung Agas. The seizure amounted to a staggering RM8 million.
"The success of the operation bears testimony of the department’s commitment to keeping illegal fishing activities in check, and that the livelihoods of local fishermen are protected," it said.
The public, especially fishermen are urged to send written information or photos of any illegal fishing activities via short message service (SMS) to the department's FISHCOM hotline at 03-8880 5019 or lodge a report at any district branch of the Fisheries Department.