NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, MARCH 11
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat and five of its crew members in a sea-air coordinated operation in Gulf of Mannar on Tuesday, says an ICG release.
“In a Sea-Air coordinated operation, the Indian Coast Guard conducted an anti-poaching operation in Gulf of Mannar and apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat ‘Ajantha Putha-2’ along with five crew for fishing in Indian waters. The aircraft on maritime surveillance in Gulf of Mannar reported the presence of a Sri Lankan fishing boat within Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). On receipt of information, the Indian Coast Guard Ship Vajra was diverted to intercept the Sri Lankan boat,” says the statement.
In a Sea-Air co-ordinated operation, @IndiaCoastGuard ship Vajra apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat named “Ajanth Putha-2" along with 05 crew engaged in fishing within Indian EEZ on Mar 8, 2022. The act of poaching is violation against MZI Act, 1981. @pibchennai @DDNewsChennai pic.twitter.com/1Fc7hvZ0r1
— Defence PRO Chennai (@Def_PRO_Chennai) March 11, 2022
The ship detected the boat 120 nm south of Kanyakumari on its Radar near to the reported position and subsequently the ship closed the contact. On sighting the ICG Ship, the boat tried to run away. However, ICGS Vajra successfully intercepted the Sri Lankan boat, 48 nautical miles inside Indian EEZ with its fishing net into water. The illegal fishing in Indian EEZ by the Sri Lankan fishing boat is violation of MZI Act, 1981. The boat was thoroughly rummaged by boarding team of ICGS Vajra. Further investigation revealed that, the boat had Tuna long line in water and was fishing well inside Indian EEZ. The boat had 300 Kg of fish catch onboard.
The fishing boat along with five crew was apprehended by the ship and brought to nearest designated port, Tuticorin and handed over to Marine police Tharuvaikulam, Tuticorin.
