Public tip-off scuttles fish-bombing expedition

KOTA KINABALU: A public tip-off led to the arrest of four men who were caught catching fish using explosives at Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district.

It was learned a call was made to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after sounds of explosions were heard off Bangingod beach at about 1.40am on Thursday.

Lahad Datu MMEA director Commander Nik Mohd Rizam Nik Mohd Fauzi said they immediately deployed a vessel to the location some 0.1 nautical miles south of the beach.

“Our men spotted two pump boats believed to be carrying out fish-bombing activities in the area,” he said yesterday.

The men, aged between 18 and 35, were believed to be from the Philippines, he said, adding they did not possess any valid identification documents.

Illegal gear: The boat along with fish-bombing paraphernalia seized by MMEA.

“Their boats were also not registered.

“We seized the boats as well as fish-bombing paraphernalia and five fish believed to have been caught using explosives,” he added.

Nik Mohd Rizam said the suspects were being probed under Section 26 of the Fisheries Act 1985 for catching fish using explosives, poison or other corrosive substances.

He warned the maritime community not to resort to fish-bombing as it was not only unlawful but also detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem, besides endangering people’s lives.

Nik Mohd Rizam also urged the public to report any such activities or other crimes at sea to the Lahad Datu MMEA operations centre at 089-885727 or the Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 emergency number.