MIRI: Eight fishermen onboard two fishing trawlers were detained after they were caught fishing in a prohibited zone on Saturday afternoon.
The crew and the Indonesian skippers were arrested during an operation by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Miri Zone at about 1.3 nautical miles northwest of Kuala Suai.
In a statement MMEA Miri Maritime Zone director Captain Mohd Shafie Paing said the trawlers, fishing equipment and their catch weighing 1,500kg of fish were seized during the operation.
“All seized items including crewmen of the two trawlers aged between 25 and 59 were brought to the maritime vessel detention centre in Pulau Melayu for further investigation, “he said.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for contravening licence conditions.
For complaints and information on any suspicious activities at sea, the public can reach the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre on 085-418204, Sarawak Maritime Operations Centre on 082-432544 or MERS 999.
