LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Lahad Datu Zone has detained a purse seine vessel for operating with an expired license off the waters of Kunak, on Monday.
The arrest was made around 4.45 pm by MMEA patrol boat personnel during Op Pluto Timur 2/2023 and Op Tiris 3.0. The vessel was detected 2.6 nautical miles northeast of Kunak Base.
Lahad Datu MMEA Director, Maritime Komander Maritim Dzulfikhar Ali, said the vessel was operated by a 37-year-old Filipino skipper and two crew members aged 27 and 34.
“All crew members possessed valid identification documents, but inspection revealed the vessel’s license had expired,” he said.
Dzulfikhar stressed that failure to renew the license not only violates the law but could also affect the control and management of the country’s fisheries resources.
“MMEA will not compromise with any party that fails to comply and will continue to intensify patrols to ensure the nation’s waters remain protected,” he added.
The vessel, crew and catch have been brought to the Lahad Datu MMEA Jetty for further action. – James Leong
MMEA personnel check the fishing boat in waters off Kunak on Monday.
