Labuan MMEA detains seven over fish bombing activities

LABUAN: The Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, detained a Malaysian and six foreign fishing crew members, suspected to be engaged in fish bombing activities, 29 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Kubong waters on Saturday (Dec 9).

MMEA Labuan director, Capt Izwanhadi Idros, said that the joint operation, conducted around noon, targeted vessels without valid licences.

"Upon inspection, it was discovered the boat, accompanied by a smaller boat, had no valid licences...further investigation uncovered 300 kilogrammes (kg) of various fish species and an additional 300 kg of dried fisheries products on board,” he said to reporters on Monday (Dec 11).

He said that the 40-year-old Malaysian skipper, along with six foreign nationals, aged 25 to 61, were detained for questioning.

"We also seized all the fish and fisheries products, fish bombing equipment, and the boats,” he said.

He said that two of the detained foreign crew members were found to be without valid travel documents, and subsequently handed over to the Immigration Department for further action.- Bernama