Three held, RM75,360 worth of fishing equipment seized in Penang
GEORGE TOWN: Three men were arrested and fishing gear alongside a vessel worth a combined RM75,360 were seized during a joint enforcement operation in Penang waters yesterday.
Three men were apprehended, and an estimated RM75,360 worth of fishing equipment was confiscated during a coordinated enforcement effort in Penang waters last Friday. This joint operation involved the Penang Marine Police Region One and the Penang Fisheries Department, who responded to reports of illicit fishing practices from local fishermen.
The news outlet PPM W1 reported that the enforcement teams conducted inspections at several jetties in Batu Kawan and Bukit Tambun, where they confiscated 194 sets of dragon-net traps (bubu naga) and a stingray net worth RM19,700. The illegal gear is being examined under Section 11(3)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for utilizing restricted fishing techniques.
Following this, the team intercepted an unregistered fishing boat roughly 1.7 nautical miles away from Pulau Kendi, leading to the arrest of three individuals discovered fishing on board. The authorities seized the vessel, a 115-horsepower outboard engine, marine catch, fishing gear, and boat fittings valued at RM55,660. These individuals are currently under investigation for operating a fishing vessel without a valid permit, per Section 11 of the Fisheries Act 1985.
The operation emphasizes the significance of public input, especially from fishermen, in facilitating enforcement actions. It also highlights the strengthened collaboration between the Marine Police and the Fisheries Department to combat illegal fishing in Penang waters, and encourages the public to persist in reporting any dubious maritime activities.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
