KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Friday seized four fishing trawlers which were operating less than 5km from land.
In the special operation, a district MMEA enforcement team detected the vessels operating suspiciously in waters off Tuaran and Papar, between 11pm and 11.50pm.
In a statement, district MMEA director First Admiral Adam Aziz said the team stopped the vessels for breaching their license conditions under the Fisheries Act 1985 for fishing less than three nautical miles away from land.
“We also detained 20 crew members, aged between 23 and 53. They (comprise) 16 Indonesians, three Filipinos, and a local.
“We have taken them to the MMEA base in Sepanggar for further inspection and investigation,” he said, adding that enforcement personnel also confiscated 270kf of fish.
Adam stressed that the agency will continue its operation to catch those breaching the law.
“MMEA will take stern action against boat operators who operate in non-fishing zones, and (for committing) other offences,” he added.