LAHAD DATU: A local fishing vessel operating too close to shore was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Tuesday.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said the vessel was detained at 0.6 nautical mile east of Madai at 11.50am during Ops Pluto Timur and Tiris.
An inspection of the vessel found it was operated by a 38-year-old local, with three local crew members aged between 29 and 41.
“Further inspection found the vessel was committing an offence of fishing within less than 1.5 nautical miles from shore,” he said.
The vessel, crew and its catches were taken to Lahad Datu Maritime jetty for further investigation.
Dzulfikhar said stern action will be taken against vessels violating licence terms and urged the public to report maritime crimes or emergencies via WhatsApp to the Lahad Datu Maritime Operations Centre at 016-9305727 or MERS 999.
