KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah and Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has recorded 26 cases of encroachment by foreign vessels in the state’s waters since 2015.
Twenty cases involved Vietnamese boats, followed by three boats each from the Philippines and Indonesia.
Sabah and Labuan MMEA director Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Zubil Mat Som told the New Straits Times that this year alone seven cases related to Vietnamese boats were brought to court involving 132 of their nationals and total boat seizure value of RM22 million.
“Some of the foreign vessel encroachment cases have been charged and are undergoing sentences for offence according to Section 41(1)(b) of Fisheries Act, with a fine of RM15,000 to RM60,000 and the seized boats being destroyed and sunk,” he said.
“The foreign fishermen are taking advantage by using false documentation, disguising their vessels as owned by locals.”
Zubil said 55 foreign vessels, mostly Vietnam-made, were registered as local fishing boats.
During interrogation after a special operation in July, he said, foreign fishermen had admitted to transferring fish catches at the nation’s borders.
“We suspected they never land or dock in any Sabah ports. This means the main ship provides supplies to them when they are fishing here,” he said.
“The main ship stays at the border to avoid being caught. This makes it easier to flee.”