The operation, called “Op Naga,” saw 266 foreign vessels checked and 25 seized over the course of two weeks.
 The reason for the surge in illegal fishing is that Vietnam is running out of fish near its shores, driving its fishermen farther afield, into other nations’ territorial waters.
The latest arrests are part of escalating tensions over illegal fishing in the region.
In 2018, Indonesia sank 125 vessels that were illegally fishing in its territorial water but this year only on May 5, it sank 51 - 38 of them from Vietnam.
Indonesian authorities claim that the sinkings were an effective deterrent. Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said the practice resumed after a Vietnamese coast guard boat rammed an Indonesian vessel attempting to apprehend illegal fishermen.Â
"If we don't act firm, they will be even more daring. I believe these collisions will get worse one day, this will escalate," said Pudjiastuti.
Malaysian authorities, meanwhile, reaffirmed their resolve to continue apprehending illegal fishermen.Â
"Op Naga will be continued to ensure that there is no trespassing in Malaysian waters and that local fishermen can carry out their activities without disturbance and competition from foreign fishermen."
