Navy apprehends Eleven Indian fishers trespassed Sri Lankan waters for illegal fishing

Sri Lanka Navy apprehended eleven (11) Indian fishermen who engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan territorial waters and three trawlers belonging to them, on 15^th February 2020.

During a special operation carried out by the Navy in order to prevent illegal fishing and the various smuggling attempts, these 11 Indian fishermen who had entered to the seas North of Analathivu island in Sri Lankan waters and engaged in illegal fishing on three trawlers, were taken into Naval custody. The apprehended fishermen and the trawlers were escorted to SLNS Elara in Northern Naval Command.

After a medical check-up, these Indian fishers are due to be handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Jaffna through the Department of Costal Conservation for onward legal action. The seized trawlers have been anchored at SLNS Elara.

As a result of frequent patrol carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy for protecting the fish and marine resources belongs to Sri Lanka, illegal activities through sea routes have been reduced and SL Navy vigilantly acts to secure the marine resources and local fisher folk.