Boat-load of illegally harvested coral seized in Port Dickson
The State Fisheries Department seized a boat laden with almost a tonne of coral at Tanjung Tuan in Port Dickson near here on Tuesday. State director Mohd Sufian Sulaiman said the coral had an estimated market value of RM7,500.
“We received a tip off from the public on illegal coral harvesting activities along Tanjung Tuan and we immediately contacted our counterparts in Malacca, as they had a natural resources protection unit. We then patrolled the area and saw two men with the coral in their sampan,” he told a press conference.
Mohd Sufian said the two men jumped into the sea as the enforcement team neared their sampan and escaped into the mangrove area. A police report was lodged over the incident. He said the coral was now stored at the Port Dickson Fisheries office.
Those found guilty of illegal coral harvesting can be charged under sections 31 and 49 of the Fisheries Act 1985. “This is the fourth time such an incident has been reported this year. We are worried that these illegal activities could have an adverse affect on the environment,” he said.
Mohd Sufian said people were harvesting the coral as there was a demand from aquarium and pet shop owners both domestically and abroad. He hoped the authorities would also set up a natural resources protection unit in the state.
“We have 24 officers but we do not have an enforcement unit. We need to have such a team to check the theft of coral in Port Dickson,” he said. Those with information can call the department at 06-675 2160 or 06-647 2050.