Navy takes hold of 02 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 dark hours of 09th December 2023. The operation led to the seizure of 02 Indian trawlers with 25 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Point Pedro.

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 marine resources of the country.

In a similar effort, the Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of 09th December. In this operation, naval personnel held 02 Indian poaching trawlers with 25 Indian fishermen, continued to remain in island waters off Point Pedro.

The apprehended Indian fishermen (25) and the poaching trawlers (02) were brought to the Kankasanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.

Including the poaching trawlers held in this operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 33 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 220 Indian fishermen thus far in 2023. Following these apprehensions, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to relevant authorities for legal action.