Tamil Nadu fishing trawler held for poaching; four arrested

The fish catch that was seized on the Tamil Nadu based bottom trawler. 

Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended four Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area north of Mannar on Monday (13), Navy said. 

Accordingly, the North Central Naval Command spotted a group of Indian fishing boats engaging in illegal fishing, trespassing into Sri Lankan waters. In response, naval craft of the North Central Naval Command were deployed to drive away those Indian fishing boats from island waters off Mannar. 

Meanwhile, a compliant boarding made by naval personnel resulted in the seizure of the Indian fishing boat (01) and apprehension of 04 Indian fishermen who continued to engage in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters, according to the Navy. 

The seized boat (01) and Indian fishermen (04) were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Kilinochchi for onward legal proceedings, Navy said.  (Northeastern Monitor / April 15/2026)