Visakhapatnam, 12th November 2022: Indian Coast Guard Ship Vigraha patrolling in the Bay of Bengal has apprehended two Sri Lankan Fishing Boats along with 11 crew fishing in Indian EEZ and escorted them to Kakinada for further investigation today on 12 Nov 22. The Sri Lankan fishing boats were apprehended about 175 NM from Kalingapatnam on 10 Nov 22 as they were engaged in fishing in Indian EEZ without valid licenses and documents. As per MZI Act 1981, fishing and poaching by foreign vessels in Indian EEZ is an offense thereby the Sri Lankan fishing vessel violated the Act and UNCLOS.
Joint investigation and rummaging are being carried out with Marine Police, Fisheries Department, Customs and Intelligence Bureau (IB) at Kakinada. Subsequently, the fishing boats and crew will be handed over to Marine Fisheries Department and Marine Police respectively for further proceedings.