GEORGETOWN: A total of 21 foreign fishing vessels were destroyed by the Penang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency yesterday.
Its director, Captain Maritime Razali Kasim, said the destruction of the vessels to create artificial reefs was carried out at the Batu Maung Shipyard.
"One of the boats had previously been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in 2022.
"Another 19 were seized in 2023, while one vessel was seized early this year," he said in a press statement today.
Razali said the vessels were destroyed and sunk to create artificial reefs.
The foreign registered vessels were believed to have been used for illegal fishing and encroachment.