Navy seizes 05 poaching trawlers in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted separate operations to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of 20th March 2024. The operations led to the seizure of 05 Indian trawlers and apprehension of 32 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Talaimannar and near the Delft Island.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.

As an extension of these operations, the North Central and Northern Naval Commands deployed their Inshore Petrol Craft and Fast Attack Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of 20th March. Accordingly, the Navy held 02 Indian poaching trawlers along with 07 Indian fishermen off Talaimannar. In addition, naval personnel also seized 03 more Indian poaching trawlers and held 25 Indian fishermen off the Delft Island.

The 02 Indian poaching trawlers along with 07 Indian fishermen apprehended by the North Central Naval Command were brought to the Talaimannar Pier. Meanwhile, the 03 Indian poaching trawlers and 25 Indian fishermen held by the Northern Naval Command were brought to Kankasanthurai harbour. They will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Mannar and Mailadi for onward legal proceedings.

Including the recent apprehension, the Navy has held 23 Indian poaching trawlers and 178 Indian fishermen in island waters thus far in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action.