LAHAD DATU: A local fishing vessel was detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) for operating too close to the shore, in violation of maritime regulations.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director, Maritime Commander Dzulfikhar Ali, said the vessel was intercepted at 11.50am about 0.6 nautical miles east of Madai during operations “Op Pluto Timur and Op Tiris”.
The vessel was operated by a 38-year-old local man with three crew members aged between 29 and 41.
“Inspection found the vessel was fishing less than 1.5 nautical miles from the shore, breaching the Fisheries Act 1985,” he said.
The vessel, its crew, and their catch were taken to the Lahad Datu Maritime Jetty for further investigation.
Dzulfikhar emphasised that stern action will be taken against vessels found violating licence conditions and urged the public to report any maritime crime or emergencies via WhatsApp to the Lahad Datu Maritime Operations Centre at 016-9305727 or through MERS 999.
