FOREIGN FISHING BOAT FLIES MALAYSIAN FLAG TO FOOL AUTHORITIES

MIRI (Malaysia), Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement
Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt by 15 Vietnamese fishermen who tried to fool the
authorities by flying the Malaysian flag while fishing illegally, nine nautical
miles from the Bintulu beach, on Monday.

Sarawak MMEA operations director Commander Syed Nor Adli Syed Abdul Rahman
Wednesday said a Malaysian flag was raised on the boat, bearing registration
under the Sarawak Fishery, to fool the authorities.

Speaking to reporters here, he said a captain and 14 crewmembers were
arrested and remanded seven days at the Lambir Miri Prison, pending the
completion of investigations.

"We found 18 dead turtles of various types in the boat's compartment,
believed to have been caught in territorial waters," he said.

"Besides that, they was also about 10 tonnes of fish, diving equipment
and harpoon, believed to be used to hunt for turtles.

He said the case would be investigated under Section 15 of the Fisheries Act
and also referred to state authorities for hunting and killing turtles which is
a protected species.

Miri is a city in northern Sarawak, an East Malaysia state, on the island of
Borneo.