Four (04) Indian dhows poaching in Sri Lankan waters seized

A coordinated operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard led to the seizure of 04 Indian dhows poaching in Sri Lankan waters and apprehension of 35 Indian fishermen. The special operation was conducted off the Kudiramalei Point in northwestern seas, south of Mannar on 08th August 2024.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.

As an extension of these efforts, the Northwestern Naval Command had spotted a cluster of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters. In response, a Coast Guard ship attached to the Western Naval Command was dispatched to send away those Indian fishing boats poaching off the Kudiramalei Point in northwestern seas, south of Mannar. The operation resulted in the seizure of 04 Indian fishing dhows and apprehension of 35 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.

The dhows (04) and Indian fishermen (35) were brought to SLNS Vijaya and they will be handed over to Kalpitiya Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.

With this recent apprehension, the Navy has seized a total of 44 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 322 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters in 2024, and subsequently handed them over to authorities for legal proceedings.