In a special operation, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted and detained five Indian trawlers carrying 37 Indian fishermen who were engaged in poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar and near Delft Island, Jaffna.
The Sri Lanka Navy has reiterated its commitment to conducting regular patrols and operations within Sri Lankan waters to discourage illegal fishing activities by foreign trawlers.
Additionally, the North Central Naval Command and Northern Naval Command deployed their Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Craft, and small vessels to drive away a group of Indian poaching trawlers during similar operations. These trawlers were spotted engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters on October 28 and the following morning.
During these operations, the North Central Naval Command seized three Indian poaching trawlers, which had remained within Mannar's waters, with 23 Indian fishermen on board. Similarly, the Northern Naval Command apprehended two Indian poaching trawlers carrying 14 Indian fishermen who were caught poaching near Delft Island.
The captured Indian fishermen and their trawlers were transported to the Talaimannar Pier and Kankasanthurai harbor and will be handed over to the Talaimannar and Jaffna Fisheries Inspectors for further legal action.
In addition to the poaching trawlers seized in this operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has confiscated 27 Indian poaching trawlers and arrested 174 Indian fishermen thus far in 2023. Following these actions, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further legal proceedings.
