MMEA asked to monitor waters for foreign fishing vessels
MIRI: The Miri Fishermen’s Association ( MFA) has called on the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA) to monitor waters between Kuala Baram and Niah for foreign fishing vessels.
MFA chairman councillor Jamali Basri said there have been reports of frequent sightings of foreign fishing vessels working illegally in Miri waters over the past week.
He said according to information from fishermen in Kuala Sibuti yesterday, foreign fishing vessels were seen trawling 10 miles off the coast.
“Our local fishermen took photographs and even a video of the foreign fishing vessels trawling in pairs, 10 miles off Kuala Sibuti. If not tackled, it will destroy our marine life near the coral reefs,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Jamali said local fishermen should not fear reporting any sighting of encroachment.
“All this time, when we report to the authorities, they say it was merely without evidence or proof, or just unverified reports by newspapers,” he claimed.
“With the photographs and a video of the foreign fishing vessels trawling, we hope MMEA can monitor these waters regularly, because the vessels will be actively fishing when the authorities are not there.”
He also claimed MMEA had not been seen on patrol over the last two weeks.
“Fish and marine life will be finished in no time if these illegal foreign fishermen’s activities are not curbed,” he said.
Jamali claimed the vessels would move to international waters once they were full where a ‘mothership’ would handle the catch.
He also urged the state government to ensure no licences are issued to foreign fishing vessels.