Chennai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended a Sri Lankan fishing boat and five of its crew members in a sea-air coordinated anti-poaching operation in Gulf of Mannar on 8 March.
A Defence release here said the fishing boat Ajantha Putha-2 alongwith five crew members were apprehended 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). Acting on information, ICG Ship Vajra was diverted to intercept the Sri Lankan boat.
The ship detected the boat about 120 nautical miles 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 investigations 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 and the crew was apprehended by the ship and brought to nearest designated port, Tuticorin and handed over to Marine police Tharuvaikulam, Tuticorin.