Alleged poaching in Sri Lankan waters, 14 Indian fishermen arrested
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So far this year, around 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers have been arrested for illegal fishing. Earlier on December 6, at least 21 Indian fishermen were arrested along with four of their trawlers in the northeastern waters of Mannar and Kovilan.
The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 14 Indian fishermen and seized their trawler for allegedly poaching in the island nation’s waters, taking the total number of arrests this year to nearly 240. The Navy said in a release on Monday that the fishermen were arrested off the coast of Karainagar in the northern Jaffna peninsula on Sunday. So far this year, around 240 Indian fishermen along with 35 trawlers have been arrested for illegal fishing. Earlier on December 6, at least 21 Indian fishermen were arrested along with four of their trawlers in the northeastern waters of Mannar and Kovilan.
Referring to the recurring problem of illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda told Parliament last week that it required a top-level diplomatic solution between the two countries. The issue of fishermen is a contentious issue in relations between India and Sri Lanka, with Sri Lankan Navy personnel even firing on Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait and several alleged incidents of them illegally entering Sri Lankan territorial waters. The boats were confiscated.
The Palk Strait is a narrow strip of water separating India’s Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.
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