SANDAKAN: Ten Vietnamese fishermen were fined a total of RM220,000 for illegal fishing in Malaysian waters.
They were Sieng Binh, Tuan Binh, Be Bul, Ouy Son, Phuoc Thang, Ca Lus, Dinh Tanh, Thong Mang, Meo Thah and Ngia Tanh.
All of them pleaded guilty separately before Sessions Court Judge Darmafikri Abu Adam.
For the skippers, namely, Sieng and Phuoc, they were fined RM30,000 or three months’ jail each while the crew members were ordered to pay a fine of RM20,000 or two months’ jail each.
For the first group, Sieng, Tuan, Be and Ouy, they were arrested at 10.30am on May 19 this year inside a foreign vessel for fishing in Malaysian waters without permit from the Fisheries Department Director-General.
For second group under Phuoc, they were arrested at 11am on May 19 at the same area inside another foreign vessel, also for fishing without permit.
The offence under Section 15(1) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and punishable under Section 25(a) of the same Act read together under Section 34 of the Penal Code, provides for a fine of up to RM6 million for the skipper, and RM600,000 for each crew of the vessel, on conviction.
During mitigation, the Vietnamese asked for leniency and to be deported to their hometown as soon as possible.
However, Prosecuting Officer William Apin from the Fisheries Department urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence on the grounds that the illegal fishing committed by foreign fishermen was rampant in the country, especially off Sabah waters.
He said the offence committed by the Vietnamese involved public interest and also stressed the importance of marine habitat conservation.
The Vietnamese were also ordered to be referred to the Immigration Department after paying their fines or serving their jail sentences.
