TANJUNG MANIS: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a local fishing boat and arrested six local crewmen for allegedly violating the legal conditions of their licence yesterday (April 30).
MMEA Tanjung Manis director Commander Gilbert Tinggak Numpang, in a statement, said the detention was made at noon, around six nautical miles northwest of Kabong Beach.
Initially, the Class C fishing boat was spotted around 11.20 am in a suspicious condition, and it was suspected of fishing using a trawl, about one nautical mile from MMEA’s patrol boat.
“The team found that the boat was operated by six crew members, including its skipper, aged between 21 and 48.
“In addition, inspections also found that they violated the legal conditions of their licence by fishing less than the permitted distance of seven nautical miles from the coast,” he said.
Because of that, the boat, together with its crew and 1,000 kg of freshly caught fish, was escorted to Tanjung Manis terminal jetty for further action.
Gilbert said the case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for violating the valid conditions of the license, which may result in a fine from the Malaysian Fisheries Department.
The maritime community is encouraged to channel information and complaints pertaining to suspicious activity or emergencies at sea to the MMEA Tanjung Manis Operations Centre at 010-5063293 and the MMEA Sarawak Operations Centre at 082-432544.
