31 Indian trawlers seized, 195 fishermen apprehended for poaching in 2023 - Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has seized 31 Indian trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters so far in 2023, the Navy noted. It added that 195 Indian fishermen in these vessels had also been apprehended. 

The latest seizure of poaching Indian trawlers occurred last evening when the SLN conducted special operations to chase away away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters. The separate operations led to the seizure of four Indian trawlers with 21 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Mannar and off Kovilan, Kankasanthurei, the Navy said in a press release. 
 
"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 marine resources of the country," it added. 
 
In similar efforts, 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 the evening of 06th December. In these operations, the North Central Naval Command held one Indian poaching trawler that continued to remain in island waters off Mannar, with eight Indian fishers aboard. In the same vein, the Northern Naval Command apprehended three Indian poaching trawlers with 13 Indian fishermen who were poaching off Kovilan, Kankasanthurei.
 
The apprehended Indian fishermen (21) and the poaching trawlers (04) were brought to the Talaimannar Pier and Kankasanthuraiharbour 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 31 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 195 Indian fishermen thus far in 2023. Following these apprehensions, the poaching trawlers and fishermen have been handed over to relevant authorities for legal action.