KOTA KINABALU: A pump boat laden with 80kg of fish has been seized off Pulau Mengalung after its crew allegedly used explosives for blast fishing.
Sabah MMEA director First Admiral (Maritime) Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid said the suspects fled into shallow waters during a routine patrol operation at 4.30pm on Tuesday.
“When the patrol boat tried to approach for inspection, the vessel sped off towards nearby shallow waters.
“All crew members then jumped off the boat and fled to the shore,” he said in a statement yesterday.
A search of the vessel uncovered several diving tools and a load of fish catch suspected to have been caught using explosives.
“Initial examination of the catch showed that the fish were likely caught with explosives,” he added.
He said the boat, fishing equipment, and the fish with a total value of about RM45,000, were confiscated and brought to the MMEA jetty in Sepanggar for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 26(1)(c) of the Fisheries Act 1985 and is punishable under Section 25(b) of the same Act, which provides for a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both, upon conviction.
Mohd Khairulanuar reiterated that blast fishing severely damages marine ecosystems and coral habitats.
He urged the public to report illegal maritime activities to the Sabah MMEA operations centre at 088-387 774 or MERS 999.
