Navy seizes Indian poaching trawlers in northern waters

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the dark hours of 21st June 2023. The operation led to the seizure of 04 Indian trawlers with 22 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters northwest of Delft Island, Jaffna.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.

As an extension of these operations, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla and a Craft of Sri Lanka Coast Guard to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters northwest of Delft Island, Jaffna. In this operation, the Navy held 04 Indian poaching trawlers with 22 Indian fishers continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.            

The seized trawlers together with 22 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.

In this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Navy is conducting operations to stop illegal fishing by foreign fishermen in the island waters. The aim of these operations is to prevent harm to the marine environment and secure the livelihood of the local fishing community.