KUNAK: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a purse seine fishing vessel and a pump boat in separate operations off Pulau Tabawan here on Saturday for suspected offences under the Fisheries Act 1985.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali said the vessels were detained between 3.30pm and 5pm during Op Sejahtera 1/2022 and Op Tiris 4.0.
He said the first vessel was detected carrying out anchovy fishing activities about 0.37 nautical miles southeast of Kampung Jaya Baru.
Inspection found that the vessel was operating less than 1.5 nautical miles from the nearest shoreline, in breach of fisheries regulations.
A 25-year-old local skipper and two foreign crew members aged 43 and 57 were detained for further investigation.
Dzulfikhar said the total value of the vessel and catch was estimated at RM115,000.
In a separate operation, MMEA personnel intercepted a suspicious pump boat about 0.23 nautical miles east of Kampung Jaya Baru.
However, as the enforcement team approached, an individual believed to be the skipper jumped into the sea and escaped towards nearby land.
A subsequent inspection found various types of fish believed to have been caught using explosive materials, and the boat was seized with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM7,000.
Both cases are being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985, while the vessels, detained crew and seized items were taken to the Lahad Datu Fisheries Jetty and handed over to investigating officers for further action.
MMEA also urged the maritime community to comply with maritime laws and report illegal activities at sea through the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Operations Centre WhatsApp line at 016-9305727 or the 999 emergency line.
