Malaysia: Seven tourists suspected of spear fishing in marine park

The Star 8 Mar 11;

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained seven local tourists on suspicion of spear fishing in the Pulau Tenggol Marine Park area.

State Maritime Enforcement Chief, Captain Adam Abdul Aziz said those detained, including two women, were aged between 51 and 67 and said to be originated from Ipoh, Perak.

“We detained them at about 1pm on the beach at the island after finding four spear guns on the boat they were using.

“In addition, the boat did not display any licence number,” he said.

The tourists, added Captain Adam, had been on the island on Friday and were believed to be poaching fishes at the Marine Park.

He said that under Section 44 of the Fisheries Act 1985, carrying weapons such as spear guns to catch fish in the sea was prohibited.

The tourists, he added, were later released on police bail and are still on Pulau Tenggol as their boat was towed to the MMEA jetty here for further investigations. — Bernama