Fishing activity by Sri Lankan Poachers Noticed: 65 Lankan fishermen arrested

The Indian Coast Guard launched an extensive anti-poaching operation in the sea adjoining Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coastal where large scale fishing activity by Sri Lankan poachers was noticed.

According to a press release, Coast Guard ship Sarang apprehended three Sri Lankan fishing boats from near Ramayapatnam and another Coast Guard Ship Priyadarshini apprehended one fishing boat from near Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh coast in the last couple of days.

On seeing the Coast Guard ships the poachers tried to flee towards the open sea. While Sarang apprehended three boats, the Priyadarshini apprehended one boat.

The vessels were illegally engaged in fishing in Indian waters.

A total of 15 Sri Lankan crew were on board.

The apprehended Sri Lankans were from Matara/Dondra area and Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka, the release said.

The boats were equipped with GPS, radar and long range high frequency communication gadgets, which posed a very high security risk, for the country, according to the official release.

The authorities seized 3,775 kg of fish from the seized boats.

With the apprehension of the four boats, the Coast Guard had apprehended 13 boats with 65 fishermen, 13,620 kg of fish this month and 70 boats with 357 fishermen and 47,545 kg of fish in the last six months, the release added.

- Asian Tribune -