Terengganu MMEA To Step Up Operation During Monsoon Season

DUNGUN, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Terengganu is stepping up enforcement operations to curb encroachment by foreign fishing boats in the state's waters throughout the monsoon season.

Terengganu MMEA director Captain Hamiludin Che Awang said the measure was implemented following the trend of increasing encroachment activities by foreign fishing boats during uncertain weather conditions.

"Continuous patrols are being carried out using sea and air assets in hot spots, especially fishing zones that are often targeted by foreign fishermen despite facing rough sea conditions.

"The presence of MMEA in the waters remains consistent and effective in efforts to prevent the entry of foreign fishing boats," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said that for the period from January 1 to December 15 this year, Terengganu MMEA had carried out 5,851 inspections in the state's waters.

"As a result, six foreign fishing boats with 64 crew members were successfully detained during the period with the value of the seized goods estimated to reach RM9 million," he said.

Hamiludin said that apart from that, his party had also strengthened enforcement through maritime intelligence which monitored the movement of suspicious boats using surveillance systems and information from the local fishing community, thus enabling swift action to be taken by the maritime authorities.

He added that at the same time, the Terengganu MMEA had also intensified safety advocacy by advising local fishermen to immediately report any intrusion or suspicious activity at sea for early action.

"Cooperation between enforcement agencies including the Malaysian Fisheries Department and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has also been enhanced to coordinate actions and ensure that enforcement is carried out comprehensively," he said.

Bernama yesterday reported that the Terengganu State Fishermen's Association (Penentu) expressed concern over the intrusion of Vietnamese fishing boats which are seen to be rampant in the state's waters during the monsoon season.

Penentu chairman Mat Yassin Mohamed said the foreign fishing boats seemed not to be afraid of entering the state's waters to catch marine products because they assumed that the authorities' operations were reduced during bad weather and rough waves.

Mat Yassin said foreign fishermen were also free in the country's waters when local fishing boats did not go out to sea much during the monsoon season.

-- BERNAMA