4 February 2024 10:50 am
The Navy conducts regular patrols and operations on 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.
In continuation of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft of the Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, as they were detected engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters on 03 February. In this operation, naval personnel held 02 Indian poaching trawlers with 23 Indian fishermen who continued to remain within island's waters off the Delft Island.
The arrested Indian fishermen and the poaching trawlers were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.