The Sri Lanka Navy has held 14 Indian fishermen along with an Indian trawler for poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar on December 17.
The Northern Naval Command had deployed its Fast Attack Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
In this operation, naval personnel held the Indian poaching trawler with 14 Indian fishermen, as it continued to remain in island waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, the navy said.
The apprehended Indian fishermen and the poaching trawler were brought to the Kankasanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.
Thus far in the year 2023, the Navy has held 35 Indian poaching trawlers and apprehended 240 Indian fishermen for their poaching activities in island waters. Following arrest, they have been handed over to authorities for onward legal action.
-adaderana