About 50 illegal 'bagang' identified off Tawau waters

 By Olivia Miwil - March 10, 2022 @ 12:44pm

Sabah MMEA has identified some 50 illegal 'bagang' off Tawau waters. - Pic courtesy of Sabah MMEA

TAWAU: Sabah Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has identified about 50 illegal "bagang" operating illegally off the waters here.

"Bagang" is a fishing method where a structure is floated on the sea over a long period of time to catch fishes, squids, and shrimps.

Tawau MMEA director Captain Siva Kumar Vengadasalam said the agency conducted a joint operation with the Fisheries department yesterday at Inderasabah and Kalumpang waters.

The aim was to find structures being operated without licences or built beyond permitted areas.

"The execution of the operation follows the Ops Gasak Laut Bil.2/2022 meeting on issuing demolition notices for bagang operators who fail to comply with the conditions.

"The building of bagang structures could also become a stopover for cross border criminals for robberies and smuggling.

"Monitoring from time to time is also crucial to ensure the safety of the country's waters," he said in a statement.

There are 14 personnel and two boats involved in the special operation.

District Fisheries department's representative Laester Bulun led the department in issuing one-month demolition notices to operators before any action is taken.

This operation aims to remind the local community who sell seafood products, including bagang operators, to abide by the regulations and requirements as stated in their licence.