Three local crew members were arrested after the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) intercepted a fibreglass boat using prohibited fishing gear off Pulau Tikus on 2 August.
Penang MMEA director Maritime Capt Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said the operation followed a complaint received through the FISHCOM system at about 12.30pm on Saturday regarding a boat allegedly using a grapnel longline, a banned fishing device.
An MMEA patrol boat with a five-member enforcement team was deployed and intercepted the vessel at about 2.15pm, roughly 0.1 nautical miles east of Pulau Tikus.
“At about 2.15pm, the suspect’s boat was intercepted about 0.1 nautical miles east of Pulau Tikus while actively engaged in fishing using the prohibited equipment,” The Star reported, quoting the director’s statement on Sunday.
He said further inspection revealed the fibreglass boat had no registration number.
The vessel is suspected of breaching the Fisheries Act 1985 under Section 8(a) for operating without a valid fishing licence, and Section 26 for conducting fishing activities with prohibited methods or equipment.
All three crew members were arrested. The boat was escorted to the Marine Police Force jetty in Batu Uban and handed over to investigating officers at the Penang MMEA headquarters.
The MMEA said the use of prohibited fishing gear is a serious offence that threatens the sustainability of the country’s fisheries resources and harms marine life and coastal habitats. The agency urged the fishing community to comply with regulations and use only approved methods.
Members of the public with information on illegal or suspicious activities at sea can contact the Penang Maritime Operations Centre at 04-262 6146 or the national emergency line at 999.
