Fishing trawlers stranded in Maldives advised against returning to island

Twenty Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawlers stranded in Maldives have been advised against returning until the weather returns to normal, the Fisheries Ministry said today (Jul 22).

Fisheries Minister Dileep Wedaarachchi, in a release issued by his ministry, was quoted saying that 12 fishing trawlers had attempted to make their return to the country this morning.

He noted that a fisherman who had suffered a heart ailment in the seas has also been sent to the Maldives for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Fisheries Ministry has release a set of guidelines for fishermen who are going out to sea over the next few days. The guidelines are as follows:

• Protective gear must be worn while going out for fishing.
• Radio transmission devices must be switched on.
• Refrain from entering the waters of any other country.
• If a vessel enters foreign waters unknowingly, inform the nearest search operation centre over the matter.
• Carry essential medicines at all times.
• Reach the coast once in two hours.