7 December 2023 08:55 am Views - 452
The Navy said the separate operations led to the seizure of 04 Indian trawlers with 21 fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar and Kovilan, Kankesanthurai.
The North Central Naval Command and Northern Naval Command deployed their Fast Attack Craft and Inshore Patrol Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters on Wednesday evening.
In these operations, the North Central Naval Command held 01 Indian poaching trawler that continued to remain in island waters off Mannar, with 08 Indian fishermen aboard. Similarly, the Northern Naval Command apprehended 03 Indian poaching trawlers with 13 fishermen who were poaching off Kovilan, Kankesanthurai.
The apprehended Indian fishermen and the poaching trawlers were brought to the Talaimannar Pier and Kankesanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Talaimannar and Jaffna Fisheries Inspectors for onward legal action.
Meanwhile, the Navy said they have seized 31 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 195 Indian fishermen so far in 2023. Following these, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to relevant authorities for legal action.