SEMPORNA: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled fish-bombing activity off Pulau Kulapuan, on Monday.
MMEA Semporna Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Amir Shubli, said MMEA had foiled the activity at about 11.05am following the OP Pluto Timur carried out in the areas.
“During the operation, the team spotted a suspicious boat without registration number.
When approached, the individual on board escaped to the shallow areas to avoid being arrested by the authorities,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Amir said inspection revealed that the boat was involved in fish-bombing, an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985.
He said the boat was detained and taken to Semporna Tourist Jetty for further action. The seizures were estimated to be worth RM5,000.
“Fish-bombing not only destroys marine habitats, but also has a long-term impact on the fishing industry and tourism sector that depend on the beauty of the marine ecosystem,” he said.
In this regard, the agency urged the public to provide information on illegal fishing activities by contacting 999 emergency line or Semporna Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 089-782619.
