In a recent operation off the coasts of Mannar, Delft, and Kachchativu Islands in Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Navy apprehended five Indian trawlers along with 27 Indian nationals engaged in illegal fishing within Sri Lankan waters. These proactive measures are part of the Sri Lanka Navy’s ongoing efforts to prevent Indian poaching trawlers from encroaching into their territorial waters.
The Navy’s North Central Naval Command and Northern Naval Command utilized a combination of fast attack craft, inshore patrol craft, and smaller vessels to deter and detain the group of Indian poaching trawlers. Two trawlers carrying 15 Indian fishermen were intercepted off Mannar, while three additional trawlers with 12 Indian fishermen were seized near the Delft and Kachchativu Islands by the Northern Naval Command.
Following the apprehension, the Indian fishermen and their poaching trawlers were transported to the Talaimannar Pier and Kankasanthurai harbour. They will now be handed over to the Talaimannar and Jaffna Fisheries Inspectors for further legal proceedings.
This recent operation brings the total number of Indian poaching trawlers seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in 2023 to 22, with a corresponding 137 Indian fishermen taken into custody. These decisive actions underline Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding its marine resources and enforcing maritime regulations.
