KOTA BARU: The Region Three Marine Police Force has detained two local fishing boats found to have violated fisheries licensing conditions during an operation in the waters of Tok Bali, Pasir Puteh.
Region Three commander Asst Comm Zulafendy Hassan said the vessels were intercepted at 1.30pm Thursday (Jan 15) by two patrol boats involved in Ops Naga Barat/Taring Gelora 0.5 nautical miles (0.92km) from Tok Bali Beach.
"The boats were operated by two foreigners and four locals. Additionally, it was learnt that they were not operating on their own accord and were using licences or permits belonging to others," he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 16).
"All suspects, along with the two fishing boats, were escorted to the Tok Bali Marine Police Tactical Headquarters Jetty for further action before being handed over to the Fisheries Department in Tawang, Bachok, for investigation under the Fisheries Act 1985," he added.
He noted that the estimated value of the seized items came to RM300,000.
This is the first case involving fisheries licensing offences, specifically involving foreign nationals, recorded by Region Three this year, he added. – Bernama
