Eleven Indian fishermen have been arrested and three fishing trawlers seized by Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly poaching in the country’s territorial waters, according to an official statement.
The Lankan Navy said on Tuesday the fishermen were arrested near the Delft Island in the north on Monday, and that they were indulging in bottom trawling.
The arrests are part of the Lankan Navy’s patrols to cut illegal fishing in the Lankan waters to minimise the impact from poaching on local fishermen and sustainability of fishery resources in Sri Lanka, said the statement.
The fishermen issue is a contentious one in ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Historically, fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka have crossed maritime boundaries for fishing. Tamil Nadu fishermen often stray into Lankan waters as the waters available for Indian fishermen has drastically reduced after India gifted the Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. The fall in fish population in Indian waters too has forced many fishermen to enter Lankan waters.
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https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/11-indian-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-for-poaching-2756800