TAWAU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a local fishing boat for fishing less than two nautical miles from the shore, around 4.45pm, on Thursday.
Tawau Zone MMEA Director Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman said three Indonesian men aged between 20 and 42 on the boat were arrested.
He said a MMEA patrol vessel conducting “Op Pagar Laut” and “Op East Pluto” had earlier detected a boat carrying out fishing activities near Kg Titingan.
“The boat was intercepted and taken to the Tawau Maritime Jetty for further action.
“The total value of the seized items, including the boat, fishing nets and loads of seafood, was estimated at more than RM80,000,” he added.
The case was investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for carrying out fishing activities less than two nautical miles from the shore.
