Yet another seizure of 300kg bombed fish

Semporna: Fish bombing is still taking place in Sabah waters and 300kg of various kinds of fish were seized at Mataking Island in the latest seizure by a team of marine police on "Ops Taring" duty at about 10.30am on Tuesday.Sabah Marine Police Commander ACP Mohammad Madun said the fish, estimated to be worth about RM2,400, were seized from a 23-year-old Filipino after the team checked his boat.

"Further inspections showed the man did not have a licence to fish," he said, adding that the boat and its engine were also seized for investigations under the Fisheries Act.

Mohamad said at about 3.30pm the same day, another marine police team on "Ops Paradise" duty seized 11 pieces of sawn timber of various sizes, worth about RM440, from a boat off Kg Simunul waters.

He said the boat skipper jumped into the sea and fled by swimming to a nearby village, adding that the case is being probed under the Forestry Enactment.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

Several cases were reported last month, with one involving a total of 30kg of shrimps and a trawler boat confiscated by the marine police for fishing in a prohibited area in Sungai Kalabakan, Tawau.

The 36-year-old Indonesian skipper was detained after he was found fishing less than five nautical miles from the coast.

On Aug 17, a total of six Vietnamese fishermen were also arrested after they were found fishing without valid documents by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Kudat.

Various species of fish, including tuna, were found in the boat which was spotted some 52 nautical miles off Simpang Mengayau.

On Aug 31, three Indonesian fishermen were detained by MMEA off the Kudat waters after they too were found to have violated the terms and conditions stated on their licence.

The trio, aged between 21 and 49, were fishing some 2.3 nautical miles from the coastal area when it is clearly stated on their licence that they are only allowed to fish in areas more than three nautical miles from shore.

It was reported that encroachment by fishing boats into the gazetted 500-metre safety radius within the Petronas' offshore oil platforms in the country has reached alarming levels, especially in the State.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

Petronas Chairman for Sabah and Labuan, Mohamad Firouz Asnan, was also reported as saying that more than 9,000 incidences of such encroachment were recorded since 2012 until now.

He was quoted as saying that it is a worrying situation, particularly in Sabah, where most incidences are committed by traditional fishermen who are using pump boats and seem oblivious to the danger.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00