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 October 2022. The operation led to the seizure of an Indian trawler with 03 Indian nationals poaching in the island's waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar.

Sri Lanka Navy has stepped up its 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 19th October, the Northern Naval Command deployed a Fast Attack Craft of the 04th 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 the Kovilan Lighthouse, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Thus, the Navy held an Indian poaching trawler that continued to remain in the island's waters, with 03 Indian fishers and their fishing gears.

The seized trawler together with 03 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Navy continues to remain vigilant and conduct its operations, 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.