Local boat seized, one tonne of fish confiscated for infringement

The seized fishing boat.

MIRI, March 20: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) seized a local boat for fishing outside of the area stipulated in their licence.

According to MMEA’s maritime Miri district (DM13) director, Captain MD Fauzi Othman, a regular patrol team came across the boat on March 19 (Monday) around 11am, during ‘Ops Pemai’ and impounded the boat after it was determined the crew were operating beyond the area where they were permitted.

The boat was caught fishing about six nautical miles off Kuala Baram.

Four of the boat’s crew including an Indonesian boat captain, aged from 26 to 55, were arrested for committing an offence under the Fisheries Act 1985. MMEA also seized one-tonne of fish worth RM5,000.

‘Ops Permai’ kicked off on March 18. — DayakDaily