KOTA KINABALU: A local fishing boat was detained off Tanjung Tombongon here after radar by Sabah Maritime Surveillance System detected it towing a trawl net in a restricted zone.
Sabah and Labuan Maritime Director First Admiral Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid @ Razali said the operation was launched after the Swasla surveillance system detected three suspicious targets believed to be towing trawl nets less than three nautical miles from shore.
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Acting on the intelligence, the enforcement team tracked and boarded one local fishing boat that was found trawling approximately 1.86 nautical miles from land, in breach of the minimum three-nautical-mile limit stipulated under its fishing vessel licence.
Inspection revealed the vessel was crewed by seven men aged between 20 and 60, comprising one Malaysian, four Indonesians and two individuals carrying identification documents that raised suspicion.
Further investigations found the vessel had violated its licence conditions under the Fisheries Act 1985 by operating in a restricted area. The two individuals with questionable documents are also suspected of committing offences under the Immigration Act 1959/1963.
Mohd Khairulanuar said the boat, its seven crew members, fishing equipment and catch were seized and escorted to the Maritim Malaysia jetty for further investigation. The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM450,000.
The case is being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 and the Immigration Act 1959/1963.
Maritim Malaysia said it will continue to intensify patrols and enforcement in Sabah waters to curb illegal fishing activities and other maritime offences, while safeguarding the country’s fisheries resources and ensuring the safety of its waters.
Members of the public and the maritime community with information on suspicious activities at sea are urged to contact the Sabah and Labuan Maritime Operations Centre at 088-387774 or the emergency line 999 for immediate action.
