KUCHING: Marine police have arrested three men and detained a class A fishing boat found to be carrying out fishing activities using a trawl in an area not permitted.
Sarawak Marine Police Force (PPM) Region 5 commander ACP Abdul Rahman Mat Hasan said the arrest was made at 12 noon on Feb 8 during an operation dubbed ‘Ops Taring Tango Papa’.
“The boat was detained by a patrol team in the Sarawak River at Lat 01°38.964’ (N), Long 110°34.497’ (E).
“Inspections found that the fishing boat had been carrying out fishing activities using a trawl in an area not permitted in their licence.
“Three men on board the boat were also arrested for committing an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985,” he said in a statement.
Abdul Rahman added that the team also seized sea catches worth RM15,000 from the boat.
All the men and seizures were handed over to the Kuching Fisheries Division’s investigating officer for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 (b) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for violating any condition in the licence, which could lead to vessel confiscation and a fine, if found guilty.
