Fish bombers in Semporna get away, but boats seized by authorities

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has seized four boats believed to be involved in fish-bombing activities off Sabah’s east coast Semporna district.

The fishermen, however, managed to give the MMEA the slip during an operation dubbed Op Pluto Timur at Tanjung Tabu-Tabu on Wednesday evening.

Semporna MMEA director Commander Amir Shubli said his men were conducting a routine patrol with two vessels when they spotted the four boats floating in a shallow area.

Those on board the boats were acting in a suspicious manner as they approached them.

“As soon as they got near to them, the fishermen jumped into the sea and swam to shore,” he said in a statement.

He said following a check on the boats, almost 50kg of fish and bottles containing fertiliser – believed to be used as explosives to catch the fish – were found aboard.

Amir said they estimated the seized items, including the four boats, to be worth about RM20,000.

“The case is being investigated under Section 26 of the Fisheries Act 1985 for catching fish using explosives or poison, among others,” he said.

He said the MMEA will not compromise with anyone found using explosives or harmful substances to catch marine life.

“Such actions are not only unlawful but can also endanger lives of those in the tourism industry, such as divers,” he said, adding that it would also have negative effects on the ocean ecosystem.

Amir said Semporna MMEA will step up its patrols.

There have been fatalities over the years due to fish bombing in Sabah – these include two Chinese tourists and a Malaysian divemaster who died in Semporna in July 2019.