Navy seizes 03 Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy seized 03 Indian fishing boats and apprehend 37 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted off Point Pedro, Jaffna today (21st September 2024).

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

As an extension of these operations, the Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft to send away a cluster of Indian fishing boats, having spotted they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Point Pedro. The operation resulted in the seizure of 03 Indian boats and apprehension of 37 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boats 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.

Including the apprehension of this operation, the Navy has held 53 Indian fishing boats and 396 Indian fishermen in island waters thus far in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action.