KOTA KINABALU: Maritime officials in Kunak district arrested four people for breaking marine regulations on Sunday.
The arrest came when the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officials were conducting patrols near Pulau Tabawan Kunak, at around 11.45am.
MMEA director for Lahad Datu zone, Dzulfikhar Ali said their personnel had noticed a tug boat operating too close to shore and had approached the boat to inspect.
Upon inspection, they found four people aged between 27 and 39, comprising three Filipinos and a local man on board, he said.
Inspections found that they were netting anchovies too close to shore, breaching the licensing regulations, he said.
Dzulfikhar said all the crew, the vessel and their catch were brought back to the Lahad Datu fishery jetty for further investigation.
He said MMEA would continue to increase their presence at sea and conduct patrols to prevent crime.
He urged the public to share information or any suspicious activities via the Lahad Datu Maritime WhatsApp number at 016-9305727 or the 999 emergency number.
