The Sri Lanka Navy conducted special operations to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the evening of 14th October 2023. The separate operations led to the seizure of 05 Indian trawlers with 27 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar as well as near the Delft and Kachchativu Islands, Jaffna.
The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices by foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the consequences of these practices on the livelihood of local fishermen and ocean resources of the country.
In a similar operation, the North Central Naval Command and Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Craft and small craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters on 14th October. In these operations, the North Central Naval Command held 02 Indian poaching trawlers that continued to remain in island waters off Mannar, with 15 Indian fishers aboard. In the same vein the Northern Naval Command apprehended 03 Indian poaching trawlers with 12 Indian fishermen who were poaching near the Delft and Kachchativu Islands.
The apprehended Indian fishermen (27) and the poaching trawlers (05) were brought to the Talaimannar Pier and Kankasanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Talaimannar and Jaffna Fisheries Inspectors for onward legal action.
Including the poaching trawlers held in this operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 22 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 137 Indian fishermen thus far in 2023. Following these apprehensions, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to relevant authorities for legal action. (Navy)
