Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a fishing boat without a registration number some 0.21 nautical miles off Tanjung Wokong, Pulau Gaya, here, at about 12.30 am on Sunday.
Sabah and Labuan Maritime Director First Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said a MMEA team was on routine enforcement patrol around waters Kota Kinabalu when they detected a fishing boat moving in a suspicious manner.
While approaching the boat for inspection, five men jumped into the sea before swimming towards a nearby beach to escape being caught. Checks on the boat led to the discovery of several fuses that were suspected to be used for fish bombing activities together with 150kg of various fish.
Examination on several fish showed the inside of the fish’s stomach destroyed as a result of bombing activities.
The case is being investigated under Section 26, Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing using explosives.
The public are reminded not to engage in fish bombing activities as they are very dangerous to humans and marine life.
Apart from causing serious injuries, such fishing method can also cause death to the perpetrator and the maritime community who are doing diving activities in the area.
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