MMEA: EU has given Hanoi notice

Encroachment into M’sian waters by Vietnamese fishermen likely to cease after bloc’s threat

JOHOR BARU: Incidents of Vietnamese trawlers encroaching into Malaysian waters may soon be over after Hanoi received a warning from the European Union (EU) following complaints made by various Asean countries.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) maritime direc- tor-general Admiral Datuk Zulkifli Abu Bakar said the EU has given a warning to Vietnam to stop its fishermen from encroaching into waters of other countries.

Vietnam is the second largest fish exporter to the EU and the commission has taken a strict stand to stop such illegal fishing by the Vietnamese fishermen.

Malaysia and other Asean countries have forwarded complaints and reports to the EU for them to take action against Vietnam, Zulkifli told reporters after witnessing the handing over of duty between MMEA southern region director First Admiral Datuk Adon Shalan, who is retiring, to First Admiral Datuk Abu Bakar Idris here yesterday.

He pointed out that if Vietnam fails to heed the warning, EU will ban all fish imports from the nation.

Zulkifli said EU has told Vietnam to strengthen its enforcement to stop its fishermen from encroaching into neighbouring countries’ waters.

“We are very pleased to learn that Vietnam has taken the necessary steps to ensure its fishermen do not encroach into our waters any more.”

Zulkilfi also warned local fishermen to stop working with Vietnamese trawlers as their action only encouraged more foreign trawlers to enter Malaysian waters.

In an unrelated matter, he also announced that both Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to extradite fishermen caught in their respective areas.

He said on Jan 11, Malaysian fishermen who were caught in Indonesian waters would be sent back home and Malaysia will do the same with Indonesian fishermen caught here.