MMEA seizes 10 banned fish traps abandoned by fishermen off Perlis

KANGAR, July 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 10 ‘Bubu Naga’ (Bubu Kambang) fish traps, which have been banned, in Kuala Perlis yesterday.

Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone MMEA director Commander Nurulazme Zakariah in a statement said the trap, the use of which violates the Fisheries Department's regulations because the size of the net is very small and could damage the marine ecosystem, were left by the fishermen about 0.4 nautical miles off the west coast of Kurong Tengar.

MMEA will take firm action against fishermen using such traps and will prosecute them under Section 11 (3) (c) of the Fisheries Act 1985, for fishing using unauthorised methods,” he said in a statement today.

According to Nurulazme, all the traps were taken to the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone jetty and handed over to the investigating officer.

He said the MMEA also viewed seriously fishing activities using ‘pukat rawa sorong’, fishing outside the permitted area and invasion of snail boats in coastal fishing areas.

“People who have information or wish to make complaints may call the 24-hour MMEA line MERS 999 and the Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 04-9851072 or 04-9851162,” said Nurulazme.

-- BERNAMA