KUCHING: Twenty-two Vietnamese were charged in the magistrates’ court yesterday with fishing illegally in Malaysian waters.

A 41-year-old master was produced in court together with his crew of nine, aged 20 to 30.

They pleaded guilty to the charge, presented with the help of an interpreter, before senior assistant registrar (SAR) Nelson W Angang. The master was fined RM300,000 in default six months’ jail.

The SAR also fined each of the nine crew members RM60,000, failing which each of the offender would have to serve a four-month imprisonment term.

They admitted to the charge framed under Regulation 2 Schedule 1 of the Fisheries (Prohibition of Method Of Fishing) Regulations 1980 read with Section 26(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985.

The offence occurred not far from Tanjung Po at 3.55pm on Sept 15.

They were caught fishing with a trawl net, cast from a local fishing vessel together with another fishing vessel.

The offence is punishable under Section 25(a) of the Act for which the offender is liable to a fine not exceeding RM1 million for a master and RM100,000 for a crew member.

The court can also order the vessel, its equipment and fishing appliances forfeited, and any licence or permit cancelled.

A marine police patrol vessel was on patrol duty when it came across and apprehended the fishing vessel.

Investigations showed the vessel was locally registered at Tanjung Manis, off Mukah.

All 10 accused came to work in the state legally and had worked on the vessel for about a week.

Their method of fishing using two fishing boat and a trawl net (trawling) was said to have caused massive destruction to coral reefs and the sea bed.

Items seized included a fishing vessel, trawl net, outboard motor and compass.

Another master, 40, and his 11-member crew were also charged for unlawful fishing in the same area at 4pm on the same day as the first charge.

The master was fined RM300,000 in default six months’ jail, while each crew member was fined RM60,000 in default four months’ jail.