A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy led to the seizure of two Indian fishing boats and arrest of 16 Indian fishermen, poaching in Sri Lankan waters. This operation was conducted off the Kachchativu Island, Jaffna on Wednesday (23).
The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.
The Northern Naval Command deployed a Fast Attack Craft attached to the Command to send away a cluster of Indian fishing boats, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off the Kachchativu Island. The operation resulted in the seizure of two Indian fishing boats and arrest of 16 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized two boats together with 16 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they were handed over to the Regional Director Sri Lanka Coast Guard Northern Region for onward legal proceedings.
With this recent arrest, the Navy and Coast Guard have seized a total of 61 Indian fishing boats and 450 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters in 2024.