Illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing

Another Sri Lankan fishing boat suspected of illegal fishing in the Seychelles’ exclusive economic zone has been apprehended by the Seychelles Coast Guard patrol vessel ‘Topaz’ recently.

The fishing boat, with six fishermen onboard, was spotted by the Seychelles Air Force (SAF) Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) during a routine surveillance operation on the Mahe Plateau, South East of Mahe.

The boat was instructed to divert to Port Victoria for further investigation. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, no boarding operations have been conducted.

The boat and crew have been placed on quarantine and will be cleared by local Public Health Authority as per established protocols before Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) inspectors and the police proceed on board for further inspections.

This is the fourth illegal fishing vessel intercepted by the Seychelles Coast Guard this year. The last one, was in April.Source; The Seychelles People’s Defence Forces