LANGKAWI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a fishing boat and arrested six Thai fishermen who were caught fishing outside their designated area.
Kedah MMEA deputy director (operation) Commander Maritime R. Vincent said the boat was detained at about 11.30am on Aug 19 about one nautical mile southeast of Pulau Ujung Buluh, near here.
He said a patrol unit noticed the boat, a C class trawler, pulling fishing nets in the dark at the location and decided to inspect the boat.
“A trawler should be fishing beyond 15 nautical miles from shore as stated in their licence. Hence, the boat should not be there,” he said in a statement today.
A total of 1,000 kg of fish worth about RM1,800 was found in the boat.
Vincent said the boat and the fishermen were detained for further investigation under the Fisheries Act 1985.