Malaysian authorities have seized a dredger operated by a foreign crew over claims of illegal sand harvesting.
The unidentified vessel was detained by the Selangor division of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for undertaking sand harvesting activities with no valid identification or licence to operate.
The seizure occurred on 22 July when the vessel was 11.5 nautical miles (21.3 km) southwest of Pulau Ketam, according to the agency.
“The concerned vessel had been monitored by Malaysia Maritime for a few days before it was detained after receiving complaints from the maritime community,” said Selangor state maritime director Captain Abdul Muhaimin bin Muhammad Salleh.
The MMEA said the dredger was under the control of an Indonesian master when it was caught red-handed sucking up sand off the seabed. Indonesian and Chinese nationals made up the remainder of its nine-strong crew .
None of the crew on board the dredger were able to present valid identification documents or the licence to operate.
The MMEA said an investigation into the vessel and its activities has been launched.
Although a global problem, the illegal harvesting and cross-border smuggling of sand is especially acute in Asia, where continuing urbanisation and a construction boom have caused an insatiable demand for sand.
Rampant and often unregulated harvesting of sand from the seabed near shorelines, or directly from beaches, has led to the severe degradation of coastal environments of developing nations in South East Asia, where, despite official bans, corrupt officials and the lack of effective enforcement facilitate the trade.
