Navy takes hold of an Indian trawler for poaching in northern waters

Sri Lanka Navy took hold of an Indian trawler with 04 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters. The apprehension was made in seas south of the Delft Island during a patrol carried out on the night of 28th March 2022.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular patrols and operations to curb illegal fishing activities of foreign fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, taking into account the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and threats to the biodiversity of the country's marine environment.

The apprehension was made during a patrol carried out by a Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF), attached to the Northern Naval Command in seas south of the Delft Island. Accordingly, the Navy took hold of the Indian trawler with 04 Indian fishermen who were ‘bottom trawling’ in island waters, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Meanwhile, the Indian poaching vessel and its fishermen are being escorted to Mailadi fishery harbour, to hand over them to the Fisheries Inspector of Jaffna, through Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

Sri Lanka Navy also seized 02 Indian poaching vessels with 16 Indian fishermen who were poaching in Sri Lankan waters northwest of the islands of Delft in Jaffna and Iranativu in Mannar on the night of 23rd March. The Navy will continue to carry out regular patrols in Sri Lankan waters to prevent illegal fishing practices, with a view to protect the fishery resources of the country and livelihood of local fishermen.