LAHAD DATU: Three boats were detained by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here for various offences on Monday.
Lahad Datu Maritime Zone Director Maritime Commander Nik Mohd Rizam Nik Mohd Fauzi said the boats were detained in the seas about 0.35 to 0.9 nautical miles of Timur Madai, Kunak, between 2.45pm and 3.10pm.
He said upon inspection, the boats were found committing offences under the Ports and Harbour Enactment 2002 (Kesalahan-kesalahan Bot Kecil Sabah 2008) and the Fisheries Act 1985.
“Among the offences are modifying the boat without permission, fishing in areas less than 0.9 nautical miles and failure to notify the change of skipper,” he said.
He added that three local men and four Filipinos on board the boats, aged between 27 and 71, were also detained.
All those arrested and the boats were later handed over to Maritime Investigation Officer for further investigation.
Saying the Lahad Datu Maritime Zone will step up patrolling and enforcement from time to time, Nik Mohd Rizam urged the community to channel any information on violations at sea to them by contacting 089-885727 or MERS999.
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