The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained five Myanmar nationals on board a locally-registered Class C fishing boat for violating their fishing licence about 1.2 nautical miles off Kuala Tembeling here yesterday.
Pahang MMEA director First Admiral Mazlan Mat Rejab said the agency’s patrol boat which was conducting the ‘Op Makmur’ maritime operation spotted the suspiciously anchored vessel about 9am.
“The boat was operated by five Myanmar nationals aged between 28 and 40 including a skipper. Checks on board found fishing equipment and their catch weighing some 2,300kg.
“The boat operator is investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985 for hiring foreigners to work on the local-registered fishing vessel and the Immigration Act 1959/63 over their failure to provide valid work permits during inspection,” he said, adding the fishermen and trawler were taken to the Kuantan slipway for inspection.
He urged members of the public with information on illegal activities at sea to inform the Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS 999) or Pahang Maritime Operating Centre at 09-5717345.