Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters

During a special search operation conducted in the wee hours of 13 Jul 25, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat (01) and apprehended 07 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

Taking into account the harmful impacts of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen, the Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats trespassing into island waters.

As an extension of these operations, the Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters in the early hours of 13 Jul. In response, the Northern Naval Command deployed its craft to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters, off the Delft Island. The compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of 01 Indian boat and apprehension of 07 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (07) were brought to the Kankasanthurei Harbour and they were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mailadi, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.

Moreover, in its ongoing operations this year, including this latest one, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 24 Indian fishing boats and detained 181 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.