Navy seizes 01 Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters

The Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehend 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted off Chundikulam, Jaffna today (12th November 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 Chundikulam in the wee hours of 12th November. The operation resulted in the seizure of 01 Indian boat and apprehension of 12 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat 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 66 Indian fishing boats and 497 Indian fishermen in island waters thus far in 2024, and handed them over to authorities for legal action.