MMEA seizes 46 illegal ‘bubu naga’ in waters off Kurung Tengar beach

KUALA PERLIS: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized 46 sets of illegal ‘bubu naga’ (fish traps) in Ops Aman on Saturday (March 19).

Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone director, Maritime Commander Mohd Hashim Mat Zain, said the traps were found at about 0.6 nautical miles west of Kurung Tengar beach here at about 5.15pm.

“The traps, which were each about 10m long, were spotted after suspicious red cloth was found floating on the water’s surface and tied to wooden stakes that acted as a marker for the traps,” he said in a statement on Sunday (March 20).

Commander Mohd Hashim said MMEA believed that the marker was set up by irresponsible individuals or groups and following the discovery, MMEA patrol boats widened its inspection radius and found more bubu naga in the surrounding area.

He said their modus operandi this time was to tie the traps by linking it and several bricks that were put in as ballast to the wooden stakes.

He said further inspection found that each of the wooden stakes were markers for the illegal traps.

He said the traps, worth about RM3,680, were confiscated and brought to the Maritime Jetty in Kuala Perlis for further investigation.

He added that the owner of the traps could be prosecuted under Section 11(3)(c) of Fisheries Act 1985 for using the illegal method of fishing.

“Those individuals who committed the act can be punished with a fine of not more than RM20,000 and a jail term not more than two years or both,” he said.

Commander Mohd Hashim said the use of bubu naga was prohibited by the Fisheries Department since Nov 1, 2018, as it could adversely affect other fishery resources due to its lengthy shape and the fact that it was made up of several fish traps that were connected to each other.

“It could also affect marine biodiversity,” he added.

For complaints of maritime offences at sea or emergencies, the public can call the MMEA hotline at 04-985 1072 and 04- 985 1162 or MERS 999.