The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two illegal fishing boats with 10 Indonesians off the shores of Tanjung Lompat early Tuesday morning.
Tanjung Sedili maritime district 7 enforcement chief, Amran Daud said the fishermen, aged between 26 and 62, were detained at 1.15am about 16.5 nautical miles (30.5 kilometres) east of Tanjung Lompat.
“All of them were detained for illegally encroaching and carrying out fishing activities. There was a skipper and four crew in each boat. We also found two boats which were registered in a neighbouring country, loaded with two tonnes of fishing equipment and their catch.
Amran said based on initial investigations the fishermen have been carrying out fishing activities since March 28.
Those detained would be investigated under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Fisheries Act 1985 for illegally fishing in Malaysian waters.
2014 BERNAMA