Sri Lanka Navy Continues Arrests of Indian Fishermen for Poaching; Broader Crackdown on Illegal Fishing Yields 41 Arrests

In a broader crackdown on illegal fishing, the Sri Lanka Navy, in collaboration with the Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, conducted operations across the island from April 1st to 15th. These operations resulted in the arrest of 41 individuals for engaging in illegal fishing activities using prohibited methods. Authorities also seized 11 dinghy boats and 2 tractors. The operations covered various coastal and sea areas including Trincomalee (Chemmalai, Cheddipalayam, Elizabeth Island, Foul Point, Clappenburg Point, Uppural), Nandikadal Lagoon, Alampil, Aliya Island, Puduvakattu, Puttalam (Ucchamunai), and Jaffna (Komar Point).

The Sri Lanka Navy's arrest of four Indian fishermen and seizure of their mechanised boat in the northern waters off Mannar occurred on April 13th, not April 14th as previously reported. The operation, conducted by the North Central Naval Command, involved driving away multiple Indian fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing before apprehending one. The arrested fishermen and their boat have since been handed over to the Kilinochchi Fisheries Inspector's Office for further legal action.

In a separate incident, the Sri Lanka Navy has arrested four Indian fishermen from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, on April 14th. The arrests occurred in the northern waters off Mannar for violating the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in illegal fishing. Their mechanised boat was also seized. This incident took place just hours before the commencement of the annual 61-day fishing ban.