At least 328 Indian fishermen have been arrested and 41 trawlers seized so far this year for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters, a minister said here Thursday. Deputy minister of fisheries Rathna Gamage said Sri Lanka has intensified the operations to stop “illegal fishing” by Indian trawlers in the international maritime border. Pointing out that there has been an increase in arrests of Indian fishermen for poaching this year, Gamage told reporters that so far 328 Indian fishermen have been arrested and their 41 trawlers have been seized by the Sri Lankan Navy. Such operations are jointly carried out by the Fisheries Ministry and the Police. Destructive fishing methods deployed by foreign fishermen who poach in the Lankan waters poses a threat to local fishermen, the minister said.
