A local fishing boat was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Maritime Malaysia) after it was found carrying out trawling activities in a restricted area less than three nautical miles from the coastline off western Tanjung Tombongon late last night.
The enforcement action was carried out after the Sabah Sea Surveillance System (SWASLA) detected three suspicious targets in the area, prompting an operation to be launched by the authorities.
Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan Maritime Director First Admiral Maritime Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid @ Razali said inspections found that one of the fishing vessels was actively pulling a net at a location about 1.86 nautical miles from the shore.
He said the activity breached the conditions of the fishing vessel licence, which only permits trawling operations beyond three nautical miles from the coastline.
“The vessel was operated by seven crew members aged between 20 and 60 years old.
“They comprised one Malaysian citizen, four Indonesian nationals and two individuals who possessed questionable identification documents,” he said in a statement.
Further checks found that the vessel had committed an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985 for conducting trawling activities within a prohibited area.
The two individuals with questionable identification documents were also suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Mohd Khairulanuar said the vessel, along with the seven crew members, fishing equipment and catch were brought to the Maritime Malaysia jetty for further investigation.
He added that the total value of the seizure was estimated at RM450,000.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and Immigration Act 1959/63.
He stressed that Maritime Malaysia would continue strengthening patrols and enforcement operations in Sabah waters to curb illegal fishing activities and other offences that violate licensing regulations.
“Such efforts are important to ensure the sustainability of the country’s fisheries resources and maintain the safety of our waters.
“Members of the public with information regarding suspicious activities at sea are encouraged to contact the Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan Maritime Operations Centre at 088-387774 or emergency line 999,” he said.
