LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained an anchovy purse seine vessel for fishing less than 1 nautical mile from shore near Kunak on Monday.
MMEA Lahad Datu director Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali on Tuesday stated that the vessel was intercepted around 11.55 am 0.14 nautical miles east of Timbun Mata Island during Op Pluto Timur 2/2013 and Op Tiris 3.0.
The vessel, operated by an 18-year-old local skipper and four Filipino crew, aged 17 to 25, was caught 0.14 nautical miles east of Timbun Mata Island. Eight kilogrammes of marine catch were also confiscated, he added.
Dzulfikhar said inspection revealed the vessel had committed an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985 for violating license conditions by operating at a distance of less than 1.0 nautical mile from the nearest shore.
He also emphasized that stern action will continue to be taken against any fishing boat operators who violate license conditions, particularly those operating in prohibited zones.
MMEA reiterated that such regulations are crucial to protect the marine ecosystem and ensure sustainable fisheries.
Furthermore, the vessel was also found to have committed an offence under the Sabah Ports and Harbours Enactment 2002 for failing to report a change of skipper as required by the boat license.
The vessel and crew were taken to the MMEA Lahad Datu jetty for further investigation. – James Leong
