Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters

During an operation conducted in coordination with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard in the wee hours of 28 Sep 25, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off the Delft Island in Jaffna.

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

In continuation of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the Northern Naval Command and Coast Guard were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off the Delft Island. Meanwhile, compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehension of 12 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (12) were brought to the Kankasanthurei harbour and were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mailadi for onward legal proceedings.