MMEA Patrols Curb Encroachment Of Foreign Fishermen

PASIR GUDANG (Malaysia), Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The encroachment of foreign fishing vessels in Malaysian waters has dropped significantly due to continuous patrols conducted by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). Its director-general, Maritime Admiral Mohd Amdan Kurish said hence, losses suffered due to invasion of the Malaysian fishing areas had been reduced from RM3 billion (US$1=RM3.15) prior to the establishment of the MMEA in 2006 to only about RM10 million a year at present. He said, however, lack of boats or vessels hampered the MMEA operations in curtailing the encroachment. "Foreign fishermen normally enter our waters during rainy seasons, but continuous monitoring by the MMEA had pushed them back 100 nautical miles from our shoreline," he said. He was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Maritime Eyes And Ears At Sea (EyeS) community programme between the MMEA and the Johor Bunkering Services Association by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Maslan in Tanjung Langsat here Monday. Ahmad Maslan said the MMEA flotilla would be beef up to 18 more locally built interceptor boats costing RM140 million this year to bring the total to 246 boats. -- BERNAMA