MMEA Busts Foreign Fishing Boat Masquerading as Local Vessel in Kelantan Seas
PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has intercepted a foreign fishing vessel believed to be from Vietnam after it was found disguising itself as a Malaysian-registered boat while carrying out illegal fishing operations in national waters.
Authorities said the vessel had attempted to pass as a local fishing boat by displaying a Terengganu registration number and flying both the Jalur Gemilang and the Terengganu state flag, a tactic believed to be aimed at avoiding detection.
Kelantan MMEA director Maritime Captain Kamal Mohamad said the vessel was identified during routine patrols under Ops Damai, Ops Naga, Ops Pelantar and Ops Tiris 4.0 on April 18.
He said enforcement officers became suspicious after noticing unusual manoeuvres at sea, prompting them to approach the vessel for inspection. However, the crew failed to cooperate and instead responded aggressively.
“As our team moved closer, the crew attempted to obstruct the operation by throwing ropes, fishing gear and containers into the sea, possibly to hinder enforcement efforts or dispose of evidence,” he said at a press conference at the MMEA office in Pasir Puteh on Wednesday.
Despite the resistance, MMEA personnel acted swiftly and successfully detained the vessel about 125 nautical miles off Muara Tok Bali.
A subsequent inspection revealed 13 Vietnamese crew members on board, aged between 19 and 60, including a 42-year-old skipper.
Further checks confirmed that the vessel had been involved in illegal fishing activities in Malaysian waters, with approximately 500 kilogrammes of fish discovered on board.
Kamal said the vessel, together with its fishing equipment and catch, was estimated to be worth around RM1.2 million and has been seized.
He added that none of the crew members were able to present valid identification documents.
Authorities also confirmed that the vessel had used a fake Malaysian registration number to disguise its identity. However, differences in its physical features exposed the deception.
“The vessel carried red markings, unlike the white markings typically seen on local fishing boats, which raised suspicion,” he explained.
The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
MMEA stressed that enforcement efforts will continue to be intensified to combat illegal fishing and safeguard the country’s maritime resources.
-wilayah.com.my
