BINTULU: A local fishing vessel has been detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Aug 7, following its violation of valid licence conditions by conducting fishing operations beyond the designated zone.
Bintulu MMEA director Capt (Maritime) Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the incident unfolded approximately 9.17 nautical miles away from Kuala Balingian at around 8.05am.
The interception occurred during a routine patrol conducted by MMEA’s assets, where the fishing boat was observed engaging in purse seine fishing during the aforementioned period.
“Upon investigation, it was revealed that the specified distance outlined in the licence documentation was set at 12 nautical miles from the nearest shoreline.
“Subsequent investigation disclosed that the vessel was operated by a crew of five individuals. Among them, two were locals, while the remaining trio consisted of Indonesians aged between 39 and 54.”
In addition to detaining the fishing boat, the MMEA also confiscated purse seine fishing equipment and an estimated 300kg of assorted fish, believed to have been recently caught.
The impounded fishing boat has been escorted to the Maritime Zone Bintulu Detention Centre, where it will be handed over to investigative officers for further inquiries.
The case is set to be probed under Section 8(b) of the Fisheries Act 1985, pertaining to the violation of valid licence conditions by conducting fishing activities within a distance below the permissible limit. This breach may lead to fines imposed by the Malaysian Fisheries Department.
