Indian trawlers continue poaching in northern sea

[TamilNet, Thursday, 15 July 2004, 16:38 GMT]
Vadamarachi North Fisheries Societies Federation in Jaffna district Thursday complained that hundreds of Indian trawlers are daily engaged in poaching in the Sri Lankan northern territorial waters. These Indian trawlers are seen about 12 km from the shore of Vadamarachchi, Federation sources said.

Federation sources further alleged the Sri Lanka Navy and other related government agencies are not taking any concrete steps to stop poaching by Indian trawlers. Sources added that Indian trawlers enter Sri Lanka territorial waters despite a decision taken at a conference held in Colombo recently attended by representatives of Indian fishermen and Jaffna fishermen against poaching, sources said.

Indian trawlers in large number are now seen in northern waters following an incident where an Indian fishing boat was burnt down in Mannar Sea recently for poaching, sources said.