Navy seizes poaching trawler in northern waters

Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters on the night of 19^th September 2022. The operation led to the seizure of an Indian trawler with 08 Indian nationals poaching in island’s waters off Kovilan Lighthouse, Kankasanthurai.

Sri Lanka Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lanka’s waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.

In a similar operation conducted in the dark hours of 19^th September, the Northern Naval Command deployed a Fast Attack Craft of the 04^th Fast Attack Flotilla to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted them engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lanka’s waters off Kovilan Lighthouse, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Thus, the Navy held an Indian poaching trawler continued to remain in island’s waters, with 08 Indian fishers and fishing gear.

The seized trawler together with 08 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Navy has seized 25 Indian poaching trawlers and nabbed 189 Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters, during operations conducted thus far in 2022 and produced them to authorities for legal proceedings.

Taking into account the consequences of illegal fishing practices by foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters on the livelihood of local fishermen and ocean resources of the country, Sri Lanka Navy continues to remain vigilant and conduct its operations with a view to preventing such practices.