LABUAN: The Labuan chapter of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) arrested 12 Vietnamese men for illegal fishing less than 9.5 nautical miles from Pulau Mengalum Friday morning.
The team also seized the fishing vessel with 60 kilogrammes marine catch.
Labuan MMEA regional director Maritime Captain Che Adnan Md Isa said the agency was carrying out an operation codenamed Operasi Naga Timur at 7.30am when the fishing vessel was spotted less than 12 nautical miles from the Pulau Mengalum.
“All the suspects, aged between 24 and 45, have been taken to the Labuan jetty to facilitate further investigations under Section 8 (b) of the Fisheries Act 1985,” Che Adnan explained.
He also urged the public to contact the Labuan MMEA operations centre at 087-427999 to report any suspicious activity at sea. – Bernama
