Navy seizes two vessels with 23 Indian fishermen in SL waters

Two Indian fishing vessels with 23 Indian fishermen aboard were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy on Tuesday while poaching in the Sri Lankan waters in the East of Point Pedro and Vettilaikerni.

The operation also led to the seizure of fishing gear from those vessels, used for the illegal fishing practice known as ‘bottom trawling’

The Navy said fast attack craft of the 04th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla (4 FAF) and Inshore Patrol Craft attached to the Northern Naval Command took the Indian fishing vessels along with the Indian fishermen into custody.

The operation also led to the seizure of fishing gear from those vessels, used for the illegal fishing practice known as ‘bottom trawling’, and a stock of fish caught by the same fishing method.

The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols to prevent possible transmission of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the two fishing vessels and fishermen were to be handed over to relevant authorities for onward legal action.

Earlier, the Navy seized five fishing vessels and 54 Indian nationals for poaching in the Sri Lankan waters. However with the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, the Navy had limited the seizure of foreign fishing vessels and continued to repatriate them to their home waters.

Further, the Sri Lanka Navy will continue to carry out regular patrols in the Sri Lankan waters adhering to COVID-19 protocols, to prevent illegal fishing practices and other illegal acts by foreign fishermen, with a view to protect the fishery resources of Sri Lanka and secure the livelihood of local fishermen.