Seven detained over fish bombing in Kota Belud, 200kg of fish and explosive devices seized

KOTA KINABALU: About 50 explosive devices and approximately 200kg of "bombed fish" were seized during a raid in waters of Kota Belud on Tuesday (Nov 14).

The 2.30am raid by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) also saw seven foreign fishermen detained.

MMEA Sabah and Labuan director First Admiral Mohd Zubil Mat Som said the items and suspects were seized from five pump boats raided at Mantanani Kecil.

He said that the raid was conducted based on information about suspicious people and activities in the area.

"Upon inspection, we noticed the vessels and found close to 50 modified explosives and detonators that were believed to be used for fish bombing," he said at a press conference here Tuesday.

Mohd Zubil added that the suspects aged 18 to 45 have been remanded for further investigations.

He said the MMEA was probing the case under the Fisheries Act 1985, the Explosives Act 1957, and the Immigration Act 1959/1963.

"We take incidents of fish bombing seriously," he said, warning all fishermen to not use illegal fishing methods which can damage the ecosystem and marine life.

He said the MMEA would continue conducting raids to prevent such activities as well as crimes at sea.