Navy takes hold of 03 poaching trawlers in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the evening of 13th September 2023. The operation led to the seizure of 03 Indian trawlers with 17 Indian nationals poaching in island waters off the Kakarathivu Island and Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the consequences of these practices on the livelihood of local fishermen and ocean resources of the country.

In a similar operation, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off the Kakarathivu Island and Kovilan Lighthouse on 13th September. In this operation, the Navy held 03 Indian poaching trawlers that continued to remain in island waters, with 17 Indian fishers aboard.

The 03 poaching trawlers together with 17 Indian fishermen were brought to the port of Kankasanthurei and they will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mailadi for onward legal proceedings.

Including the poaching trawlers held in this operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 17 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 110 Indian fishermen thus far in 2023. Following these apprehensions, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to relevant authorities for legal action.