The Navy regularly conducts patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters with a view to curbing the impact on the local fishing community as well as the damage caused to the biodiversity of the marine environment of Sri Lanka, due to illegal fishing activities carried out by foreign fishermen in the country's waters.

The apprehension was made by a Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla in the Northern Naval Command, during a night patrol in seas off Mannar on 20th July. Accordingly, the Indian trawler with 06 Indian fishermen were held while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, via the Internal Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The apprehended Indian fishermen and their trawler were brought to Talaimannar and arrangements are currently under way to hand over them to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar.

Including the latest apprehension, Sri Lanka Navy has seized and produced 04 Indian poaching trawlers and 29 Indian fishermen for legal proceedings, thus far in the month of July this year.

Meanwhile, the Navy will continue to carry out constant operations in the waters around the island, to ensure the security of it and protect the livelihood of local fishermen