Navy nabs 15 Indian poachers off Talaimannar

The Navy took into custody 15 Indian fishermen and seized their two trawlers for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and poaching in Lankan waters off Talaimannar on Saturday.The North Central Naval Command of Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation in seas north of Talaimannar to chase away a cluster of poaching Indian trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters on Saturday evening.

Two Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF) attached to the Northern Naval Command were deployed for this operation, which led to the seizure of two Indian trawlers with 15 Indian fishermen, poaching in the island’s waters, the Navy Media Unit said. The trawlers together with Indian fishermen were brought to Talaimannar and they will be handed over to the Mannar Fisheries officials for onward legal proceedings.

The Navy said it continued to remain vigilant and conducte operations with a view to preventing similar practices, taking into account the consequences of illegal fishing activities of foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters on the livelihood of local fishermen and biodiversity of the marine environment.