BINTULU: A total of four local fishermen were detained after they were allegedly caught fishing in a prohibited zone on Tuesday morning.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bintulu Zone director Captain Mohd Khairol Annuar Saad said, the fishermen aged from 26 to 53 years-old were arrested around 6.01am about 5.67 nautical miles off the shores of Balingian, Mukah.
“We also seized a Class C fishing trawler, fishing equipment and their catch of almost 200kg of fish,” he said in a statement today (July 20).
The case is currently investigated under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
Mohd Khairol said, MMEA will not compromise on any offences as fishing near the coastal areas is very dangerous to small boat fishermen as well as harmful to the ecosystem.
He also urged the public to convey any information on suspicious activities to MMEA Sarawak to its 24 hours operation centre at 082-432544 or MME Bintulu at 086-314254.
