KOTA KINABALU – Although fish bombings have declined in Sabah following the implementation of the movement control order last year, isolated incidents continue to be detected.
According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), five cases were reported in 2020 – two here and the others in Semporna – and another one here this year.
The figures may be small, but fish bombing – also known as blast fishing – is a serious matter, as it has an adverse impact on the marine ecosystem.
Given this, MMEA has conducted numerous operations to curb the activity over the years, including tracing the main supplier of the explosives used.
Sabah and Labuan MMEA director First Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah told The Vibes that efforts to track the supplier have been undertaken in the state capital and east coast.
“By tracking and arresting the supplier, we can stop fish bombing at its core. Other than tracing the supplier, we also conduct special operations in hotspots.”
He said the agency seeks residents’ cooperation to channel information that could lead to arrests.
“Several of the hotspots in Kota Kinabalu are Teluk Kimanis, Kuala Papar, Pulau Tiga, Pulau Dinawan, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, south of Pulau Gaya, Serusup, Tuaran, Teluk Usukan, Kota Belud, and Pulau Mantanani.
“In Labuan, the hotspots are near Bagangan, Bongawan, and Kuala Penyu.
“There are also hotspots in areas like Kudat (Indarasan), Semporna (Pulau Bait, Pulau Omadal, Pulau Bum-Bum, and Tg Tabu-Tabu), Lahad Datu (jetty area), Kunak, and Tawau (Inderasabah and Kalumpang).”
MMEA officers on patrol inspect small fishing vessels including pump boats, he said, as records show that fish bombings have been conducted by individuals using such unregistered vessels.
“Most of those involved in fish bombing are illegal immigrants, and they do it on a small scale,” he said, adding that very few locals use the method.
MMEA has found that catch from fish bombing is being sold at markets, including the Sabah Fish Marketing Sdn Bhd big market, Kota Belud market, and Semporna market, as well as by fishmongers in Tenghilan, Tuaran. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
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