COLOMBO, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's navy and coast guard apprehended two Indian trawlers with 15 Indian nationals poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island in Jaffna on Saturday, said the navy in a statement on Sunday.
The navy and coast guard conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters and the operation led to the apprehension, said the navy.
The navy said it continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.
The seized trawlers together with Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbor and they will be handed over to the fisheries authority for onward legal proceedings, said the navy.
Thus far in 2023, the navy has seized 12 Indian poaching trawlers and 74 Indian fishermen and handed them over to authorities for legal action, said the navy. ■