Total of 59 Indian trawlers seized with 434 fishermen this year

Colombo , October 10 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a total of 59 Indian trawlers and 434 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2024 and handed them over to the authorities for legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, four Indian trawlers and 21 Indian fishermen were arrested during a special operation conducted off the Delft Island.

The Northern Naval Command dispatched Fast Attack Craft and Coast Guard vessels to disperse a group of Indian trawlers found fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters near Delft Island.

The seized trawler together with 25 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the impact of these practices on the livelihoods of local fishermen.