12 Indian fishermen arrested for fishing in Sri Lankan waters

Sri Lanka Navy personnel have seized 02 Indian trawlers along with 12 Indian fishermen onboard, whilst poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in an operation conducted in seas north of Talaimannar.

The North Central Naval Command conducted this operation in seas north of Talaimannar in the dark hours of 12th February deploying Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla and seized these 02 Indian trawlers which were engaging in the illegal fishing method of ‘bottom trawling’ in Sri Lankan waters, via the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols and arrangements are being made to hand over the Indian poaching vessels and fishermen held in the operation to relevant authorities, the navy said.

Sri Lanka Navy said it is conducting regular patrols and operations to curb illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters, considering the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and the sustainability of fishery resources of Sri Lanka.