Navy apprehends 02 poaching trawlers in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of 08th July 2023. The operation led to the apprehension of 02 Indian trawlers with 15 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.

As an extension of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla and craft of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island. In this operation, the Navy held 02 Indian poaching trawlers with 15 Indian fishers continuing to remain in Sri Lankan waters.

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

Thus far in 2023, the Navy has seized 12 Indian poaching trawlers and 74 Indian fishermen in island waters and handed them over to authorities for legal action. Meanwhile, the Navy and the Coast Guard continue to carry out such operations for the protection of the marine environment and the livelihood of the local fishing community.