KOTA KINABALU: Five men aboard two pump boats suspected of fish bombing activities were detained by authorities on Wednesday (Sept 6) at two separate locations around Pulau Mengalum waters here.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sabah and Labuan director Maritime First Admiral Che Engku Suhaimi Che Engku Daik said their patrol boat on duty found both vessels to contain paraphernalia and caught fish that pointed to the illegal method of fishing.
“Around 1pm, the patrol team was conducting their routine round around Pulau Mengalum waters.
“The first pump boat was traced at 16 nautical miles Northeast of the island with two crews.
“Upon inspection, the duo failed to provide identity documents, the boat license and fishing license, and was suspected of fish bombing based on the evidence found.
“The second boat with three crews was located at 18.8 nautical miles Northeast of the island, also failed to provide those documents and have similar evidence on the boat,” he said in a statement here.
He added that all five suspects and the two boats have been brought to the Sabah maritime jetty and handed over to the investigating officer, where the case will be investigated under Fisheries Act 1985 and Immigration Act 1959/63.
