Seven men aged, 40 to 60 years, in two boats were detained for encroaching into the Pulau Babi Hujong and Pulau Babi Besar Marine Parks which had been gazetted as forbidden zones in Mersing, this morning.

State Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairperson Ayub Rahmat said the detention was carried out beginning at 10 am at 0.2 nautical miles from Pulau Babi Hujong and 1.48 nautical miles from Pulau Babi Besar.

He said checks revealed that the two boats had 12 units of fishing equipment and all those detained were taken to the Johor Department of Marine Parks Malaysia Base here for further action.

​​​​He said the equipment, two boats and engines would be seized while the case was being investigated under Section 43(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985.

"If found guilty, the offenders can be fined not more than RM20,000 or two years jail or both.

"I remind all quarters not to encroach into the Marine Parks as they are forbidden zones for any activity. The authorities will always monitor and will not compromise with anybody flouting the law.

"This is to ensure the Marine Parks are always free from disturbance and its marine diversity is protected," he said in a statement today.

- Bernama