LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here detained a seine-fishing vessel for operating too close to the shoreline during ‘Op Pluto Timur 2/2013’ and ‘Op Tiris 3.0’ on Tuesday.
MMEA Lahad Datu director Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali, stated that the arrest was made around 1.30 pm about 0.9 nautical miles east of Tanjung Bangkuruan, Telukan.
The vessel was operated by a 37-year-old Filipino skipper, a 29-year-old local, and two Bajau individuals aged 23 and 36.
Further checks revealed that the vessel had committed an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985 by violating its license conditions, specifically for operating less than 0.9 nautical miles from the nearest shore.
Dzulfikhar emphasized that stern action will be taken against any fishing boat operators who flout license conditions, particularly those operating in prohibited zones.
“This distance regulation is set to protect the marine ecosystem and ensure the country’s fishery resources remain sustainable,” he stressed.
The vessel, its crew, and its catch were escorted to the MMEA Lahad Datu Jetty for further investigations.
MMEA urged the maritime community to always comply with maritime laws and to promptly report any suspicious activities via the MMEA WhatsApp line 016-930 5727 or the emergency hotline 999. – James Leong
