Malaysian Maritime Agency seizes trawler in Perak

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a Class C trawler off the coast of Perak for multiple fishing regulation violations. The vessel was intercepted at approximately 2:00 pm on Sunday, roughly 6.7 nautical miles southeast of Pulau Nipis during routine maritime patrols.

Authorities identified three primary infractions: operating within 15 nautical miles of the shoreline—a zone reserved for small-scale coastal fishermen—using unauthorized foreign crew members, and employing nets with a mesh size smaller than the legal 38-millimeter limit. The use of undersized nets is noted as a significant environmental concern due to its impact on marine biodiversity and juvenile fish stocks.

The crew consisted of one skipper, one Malaysian crew member, and three Myanmar nationals aged between 39 and 67. The Myanmar nationals are facing additional investigations under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for allegedly residing in Malaysia without valid identification or work permits. During the operation, officers recovered approximately 200 kilograms of mixed fish and confiscated the vessel and its trawling equipment.