INDIAN COAST GUARD APPREHENDS SRI LANKAN BOAT IN
ANTI-POACHING OPERATION IN GULF OF MANNAR
On 16 Mar 2022, in another successful anti-poaching operation in Gulf of Mannar, Indian Coast Guard apprehended second Sri Lankan fishing boat “Dinuka Putha-6” within a week along with 06 crew for fishing in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Indian Coast Guard Ship Vajra whilst on patrol, detected a boat 117 nautical miles South-East of Kanyak umari. Subsequently, the ship closed the boat and sighted with nets in the water. On sighting the ICG Ship, the boat tried to run away, however, ICGS Vajra intercepted the Sri Lankan boat. The illegal fishing in Indian EEZ by the Sri Lankan fishing boat is a violation of MZI Act, 1981. The boat was thoroughly rummaged by the boarding team of the ship. On investigation, it was found that the boat had the Electronic chart display system and crew were well aware about fishing in the Indian EEZ.
In addition, the Automatic identification system onboard, was deliberately kept switched off. Fur ther investig ation revealed that the boat had Tuna long line in water and was fishing well inside Indian EEZ. The boat had abo ut 350 Kgs of fish catch onboard. The fishing boat along with 06 crew was apprehended by the ship and brought to nearest designated port Tuticorin. The Sri Lankan boat with the boarding party of ICG Ship arrived at Tutic orin new fishing har bour today evening. An FIR against the Sri Lankan boat was registered and the boat along with its crew has been handed over to Marine police Tharuvaikulam, Tuticorin.
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PS/CS/03/22
