The Sri Lanka Navy has seized an Indian fishing trawler and apprehended nine Indian fishermen for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off Urumalei Point, Talaimannar.
The apprehension was made during a Navy operation on August 12 after the trawler reportedly crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaged in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters.
The nine fishermen and the seized trawler are to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector in Mannar for further legal proceedings.
The Navy said the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem surrounding Mannar Island and Adam’s Bridge is recognised as a high-priority marine biodiversity and conservation area and is subject to fisheries management and environmental protection regulations. (Newswire)