MMEA seizes tugboat carrying 700kg of fish in Pulau Usukan waters

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah and Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) recently seized a tugboat that was carrying out fishing activities 1.2 nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Kunit, Pulau Usukan waters at Kota Belud district.

The vessel, which had about 700kg of fish caught on board during inspection, violated its license terms for towing under the 3 nautical mile limit and committed an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing less than 12 nautical miles as permitted.

In a statement on Tuesday (Oct 22), MMEA Sabah and Labuan director Maritime First Admiral Datuk Che Engku Suhaimi Che Engku Daik said a skipper with eight Indonesian boat crews was apprehended and brought to their maritime jetty in Sepanggar for further investigation.

“The maritime patrol boat conducting their routine rounds initially intercepted the tugboat following observation and report obtained from Sabah maritime surveillance system (Swasla).

“The vessel and the catch and boat crews were then taken in for further probe, where total seizure is estimated at RM1.6 mil.

“We want to remind you that Swasla continues to monitor hot spots where such activities by errant fishermen are rampant, where they disobeyed the rules stated,” said Che Engku Suhaimi.