Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in northern waters

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 27 Dec 25, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 03 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, south of 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 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 03 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (03) were brought to the Kreinagar Jetty and were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.