Chennai: Indian Coast Guard has apprehended nine Sri Lankan fishermen and their two fishing boats, which posed `high security risk for the coast`, off Nizampattinam
in Andhra Pradesh.
The fishermen, spotted by Coast Guard Ship ICGS Sarang during a routine surveillance, were arrested on November 19 for allegedly violating certain sections of the Maritime Zones of India Act of 1981, a Coast Guard release said here today.
Fish catch of 3,500 kg was also confiscated, it said.
The nine Sinhalese fishermen onboard the boats -- Gulf Star Marina and Champa 6 -- were found 116 nautical miles off Nizampattinam and were apprehended for violating sections 3/10, 7/14 and 15 (A & C) of the Maritime Zones of India Act.
The boats, from Trincomalee of Sri Lanka, equipped with GPS, radar and long-range high frequency communication equipment "posed high security risk for the coast," it said.
Since January this year, the Coast Guard Eastern region has apprehended 31 boats, 153 Sri Lankan fishermen and confiscated 29,550 kg of fish catch, it added.
PTI
