PASIR PUTEH: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained 21 Vietnamese fishermen for encroaching and seized two vessels, fish and equipment worth RM3.3 million.
Kelantan MMEA director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the fishermen, who were on two boats, were nabbed in operations against illegal fishing on Sunday.
The skippers of both vessels did not have fishing permits.
"Along with the vessels, the officers seized fishing equipment, 2.5 liters of diesel and fish, all worth about RM3.3 million.
"The 21 crew members, aged 16 to 67, are being held for further action," he said.
Since January this year, he said the state MMEA seized 12 foreign fishing vessels with the seizure worth about RM15.4 million.
