Latest news with #KelantanMalaysianMaritimeEnforcementAgency
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Foreign vessels use stealth tactics to harvest sea cucumbers illegally in Kelantan waters
PASIR PUTEH: Foreign fishing vessels, particularly from Vietnam, have been found using sophisticated tactics to avoid detection while illegally harvesting sea cucumbers (gamat) in Kelantan waters. Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said these vessels often operate at night or in the early hours of the morning to avoid detection by patrol boats. "Their modus operandi includes switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) to evade electronic surveillance, sailing without navigation lights to avoid visual detection, and using false registration numbers to conceal their identities. "In some cases, the foreign fishermen even use vessels that closely resemble local fishing boats and operate during daylight hours to mislead enforcement personnel," he told the New Straits Times. Erwan said the last arrest related to illegal sea cucumber harvesting in Kelantan was in August 2022, involving a 200kg haul worth an estimated RM5,000. He said no new cases have been recorded from 2023 until May this year. He said previous arrests were made about 40 nautical miles off the coast near the Tok Bali estuary, and monitoring efforts have since been expanded to better detect and prevent future intrusions. "These foreign incursions threaten the sustainability of our marine life and must be stopped. "We will continue to reinforce our maritime borders through intelligence-based operations and strategic enforcement. "If left unchecked, the use of destructive equipment such as fine drag nets and iron hooks in gamat harvesting can damage the seabed, disrupt the marine food chain, and threaten the livelihoods of local fishermen," he warned. He said sea cucumbers remain highly sought-after in both local and international markets. Typically processed dried or frozen, they are used in traditional medicine and cosmetic products, with prices ranging between RM100 and RM200 per kilogram, depending on species and processing methods. "We believe the harvested sea cucumbers are usually channelled to organised syndicates that distribute them to overseas buyers. "Past hotspots, including areas near Tok Bali and marine parks like Pulau Tenggol, have been brought under control through aggressive enforcement. "However, these zones remain under close surveillance to prevent future illegal activity," he added. While illegal sea cucumber harvesting is no longer considered a serious concern in Kelantan, Erwan said the agency remains vigilant. The agency, he said, has ramped up coordination with local communities and relevant authorities to ensure long-term marine sustainability. "We remain committed to curbing illegal activities in national waters and ensuring that Malaysia's rich marine biodiversity is protected for future generations," he added.
Malay Mail
04-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
MMEA conducts medevac for nine-year-old boy on Perhentian Island suffering asthma attack
KOTA BARU, May 4 — The Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) carried out a medical evacuation operation (Medevac) to help a boy who suffered an asthma attack in Perhentian Island, Terengganu yesterday. Kelantan Maritime Director, Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the operation was carried out after the maritime received an emergency call from health workers at the Perhentian Island Health Clinic, Terengganu at 12.15pm. He said a patrol boat was mobilised to the location and managed to take the nine-year-old patient to the Kuala Besut Passenger Jetty in less than an hour before being rushed to the Besut Hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment. 'Immediate action must be taken, given the patient's condition was getting weaker, and required emergency treatment at the nearest hospital (Besut Hospital) immediately. 'The Medevac operation ended completely at 3pm without any untoward incidents. The public is advised to always be aware of their respective health conditions always but should not hesitate to call the authorities in cases of emergency,' he said in a statement yesterday. — Bernama
Barnama
29-04-2025
- Barnama
Kelantan MMEA Detains Vietnamese Fishermen, Fishing Vessel For Encroaching M'sian Waters
KOTA BHARU, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a fishing vessel and arrested three foreign fishermen from Vietnam on suspicion of trespassing into the country's waters at a position about 94 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Sunday. Its director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the arrest was made by a Malaysian Maritime enforcement vessel that was conducting patrols at the Malaysia-Vietnam border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat and Op Tiris at 4.49pm. "All the foreigners, suspected to be aged between 37 and 41, initially did not cooperate and tried to flee to the country's territorial waters when the Malaysian Maritime enforcers gave instructions to stop the vessel.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
Kelantan MMEA detains Vietnamese fishermen, fishing vessel for encroaching M'sian waters
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a fishing vessel and arrested three foreign fishermen from Vietnam on suspicion of trespassing into the country's waters at a position about 94 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Sunday. Its director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the arrest was made by a Malaysian Maritime enforcement vessel that was conducting patrols at the Malaysia-Vietnam border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat and Op Tiris at 4.49pm. 'All the foreigners, suspected to be aged between 37 and 41, initially did not cooperate and tried to flee to the country's territorial waters when the Malaysian Maritime enforcers gave instructions to stop the vessel. 'Further inspection of the vessel found about 5,000 kilograms of fish, navigation and communication equipment as well as a supply of 600 litres of diesel with an estimated value of nearly RM1 million,' he said in a statement today. He said the process of bringing back the vessel took 23 hours before arriving at the MMEA jetty at about 3.55pm the next day, before being handed over to the investigating officer. The case will be investigated under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985, Section 16(3) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- The Sun
Kelantan MMEA detains Vietnamese boat for trespassing waters
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a fishing vessel and arrested three foreign fishermen from Vietnam on suspicion of trespassing into the country's waters at a position about 94 nautical miles from the Tok Bali estuary on Sunday. Its director Maritime Captain Erwan Shah Soahdi said the arrest was made by a Malaysian Maritime enforcement vessel that was conducting patrols at the Malaysia-Vietnam border under Op Damai, Op Naga Barat and Op Tiris at 4.49pm. 'All the foreigners, suspected to be aged between 37 and 41, initially did not cooperate and tried to flee to the country's territorial waters when the Malaysian Maritime enforcers gave instructions to stop the vessel. 'Further inspection of the vessel found about 5,000 kilograms of fish, navigation and communication equipment as well as a supply of 600 litres of diesel with an estimated value of nearly RM1 million,' he said in a statement today. He said the process of bringing back the vessel took 23 hours before arriving at the MMEA jetty at about 3.55pm the next day, before being handed over to the investigating officer. The case will be investigated under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985, Section 16(3) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
