The Sri Lanka Navy seized 02 Indian fishing boats with 14 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters in the sea area north of Mannar last night.
The Navy said the arrest was made during its regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats.
As part of these operations, the North Central Naval Command had spotted a cluster of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters and had deployed its Fast Attack Craft and Inshore Patrol Craft to drive away the boats.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 02 Indian boats with 14 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.
The seized boats, together with Indian fishermen, were brought to the Talaimannar Pier after which they were handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Inspector for legal action.
Following this operation, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 68 Indian fishing boats and arrested 529 Indian fishermen so far in 2024. (Islandnews)
