The Sri Lankan Navy apprehended nine Indian fishermen and confiscated their fishing boat for allegedly trespassing the International Maritime Boundary Line and conducting unauthorized fishing in Sri Lankan waters. The arrests occurred when Indian fishing vessels were spotted in Sri Lankan territory, particularly near Talaimannar. Over 50 Indian fishing trawlers were reported to have crossed into Sri Lankan waters, leading to the interception of one vessel and the detention of nine crew members.
The seized fishing boat and the detained fishermen were transferred to the Fisheries Inspector in Mannar for further legal actions under Sri Lankan fisheries regulations. The ongoing conflict over fishing rights between India and Sri Lanka has persisted, with Tamil Nadu fishermen advocating for access to traditional fishing zones in the Palk Strait while Sri Lanka enforces strict measures against what it deems as unlawful fishing activities within its maritime borders.
The Sri Lankan Navy has been actively patrolling to prevent cross-border fishing, particularly condemning the use of mechanized bottom trawlers for the harm they cause to marine resources. Despite official data revealing numerous Indian fishermen arrests and trawler seizures for alleged poaching, the Palk Strait continues to be a contentious area due to its abundant fishing resources and frequent disputes over maritime boundaries.
