JOHOR BARU: The Johor Fisheries Department seized 356 banned dragon traps and other fishing equipment worth RM42,600 in an enforcement operation off Muar and Batu Pahat.
Its director, Rosmawati Ghazali, said the operation on Oct 9 involved 14 members of the department's Fisheries Protection Unit under the second Marine Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) programme.
The seized equipment comprised 356 dragon traps, five stingray nets and a mini trawl net.
No arrests were made, as the operation focused on confiscating prohibited fishing gear through inspections at sea and on land.
Dragon traps, locally known as bubu naga, are long, tube-shaped traps used to catch fish and other marine life. Their use is prohibited under Malaysia's fishing regulations over concerns about their impact on marine resources and the sustainability of fish stocks.
It is prohibited under Malaysia's fishing regulations because of concerns over its impact on marine resources and the sustainability of fish stocks.
Rosmawati said dragon traps and stingray nets were prohibited under the Fisheries (Prohibition of Fishing Methods) (Amendment) Regulations 2024.
She said stingray nets with mesh sizes exceeding 25.4cm posed a particular threat to turtles, which could become entangled and die.
"Stingray nets are prohibited to protect turtles, as they can easily become entangled in the nets and die," she said.
The mini trawl net was also seized because trawling equipment was licensed for commercial fishing vessels, while smaller boats such as sampans were permitted to use traditional fishing gear only.
Rosmawati said the department would intensify enforcement to curb illegal fishing and protect the country's fisheries resources for coastal communities and future generations.
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