Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in island waters, north of Mannar

During an operation conducted on 09 Aug 25, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat (01) and apprehended 07 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, north of Mannar.

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.

Accordingly, the North Central Naval Command spotted several Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, the North Central Naval Command deployed its Inshore Patrol Craft to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters, north of Mannar. 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 Talaimannar Pier and they were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for onward legal proceedings.