BINTULU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a local fishing boat for allegedly fishing outside the permitted zone yesterday (Mar 22).
Its Bintulu Zone director Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the arrest took place around five nautical miles off Kuala Balingian, Bintulu at around 10 am.
“The boat was operated by three crew members, all of whom were locals.
“The suspects aged between 35 and 52, together with the vessel, fishing equipment worth RM500,000 and 100 kg of freshly caught fish, were escorted to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre for further action,” Mohd Khairol said today.
He said the case will be investigated under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for violation of the licence conditions.
He reminded the maritime community to channel information and complaints on suspicious activities at sea to the Bintulu Maritime Zone Maritime Operations Centre at 086-314254 and Sarawak Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544.
