Joint op nabs two suspected of fish bombing off Labuan

MMEA personnel with the two suspects on the boat.

KOTA KINABALU: Two fishermen have been arrested on suspicion of using explosives to catch fish off Labuan.

In a joint operation with Sabah Parks, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) spotted the men in a boat about one nautical mile south of Pulau Tiga at 10.30pm on Wednesday (Jan 17).

Labuan MMEA director Capt Izwanhadi Idros said a patrol vessel was sent to the location after a tip-off from the public.

He added that the boat was occupied by two Filipinos, aged 41 and 44, who did not have valid travel documents.

The fish believed to have been caught using explosives.

“Besides that, we also found... three bottles containing white powder, believed to be ammonium nitrate, which we believe they used (in fish bombing),” he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 19).

“In addition, we found two large containers with marine life inside," he added.

According to Capt Izwanhadi, the boat and contents of the containers were valued at about RM20,000.

The suspects and the seized items were then brought to the Labuan MMEA jetty for further investigations under Section 26(1)(c) of the Fisheries Act 1985.

The three bottles believed to contain ammonium nitrate found on the boat.

The suspects face a maximum RM20,000 fine and up to two years' jail, or both, if convicted.

They face further penalties if found guilty of not having personal documents under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Capt Izwanhadi added.

“Fish bombing is not only unlawful but could also destroy the marine ecosystem in addition to endangering human lives.

“As such, we will intensify efforts to curb such activities,” he said, urging the public to cooperate with the authorities by providing information.