9 Indian fishermen arrested for illegal fishing

Nine Indian fishermen and a vessel engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy last night.

According to the Navy this operation was conducted in Sri Lankan waters off the Urumalai point in Talaimannar.

At the time of arrest the Indian fishing vessel had crossed the international maritime boundary and was engaging in fishing in the Sri Lankan waters, using the 'bottom trawling' method which causes damage to the seabed.

Arrested Indian fishermen and the fishing vessel taken into custody are scheduled to be handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Inspector for legal proceedings, the Navy stated.

The ecosystem of the Gulf of Mannar is considered a marine biodiversity and conservation zone of high international and domestic importance.

This area remains a conserved zone under special fisheries management and environmental protection regulations.