COLOMBO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka Navy has seized 24 Indian fishing boats and arrested 181 fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters so far this year, the navy said in a statement on Monday.
This includes the seizure of an Indian fishing boat and seven Indian fishermen during an operation on Sunday, the navy said. They were arrested off the Delft Island, Jaffna, in Sri Lanka's Northern province.
The navy said the seized boat and the fishermen were handed over to the fisheries officials for further legal proceedings.
The navy reiterated that it continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to prevent illegal fishing by foreign vessels, citing concerns over its impact on the livelihoods of local fishermen. ■
