Indian Coast Guard nabs 35 Bangladeshi fishermen in EEZ, seizes two boats

Kolkata: At least 35 Bangladeshi fishermen were nabbed and their two Bangladeshi fishing boats seized by the Indian Coast Guard after they were found engaged in illegal fishing activity inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981, MoD said on Thursday.

The boats and crew were taken into custody and later handed over to Marine Police in Frazerganj on December 17 for further legal proceedings.

The Indian Coast Guard Ship Anmol during surveillance in the Northern Bay of Bengal on December 16 has apprehended two Bangladeshi Fishing Boats (BFBs) with 35 crew for illegal fishing activity inside EEZ in violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981, MoD said.


“The crew of Bangladeshi boats failed to produce any valid authorization or permit for fishing inside the Maritime Zones of India. The fishing gear and catch with around 500 Kg indicated active fishing operations inside Indian waters,” MoD said.

“The apprehension highlights the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) steadfast commitment in protecting India’s maritime interests, preventing illegal fishing and ensuring the security of Indian fishermen operating in the region,” MoD said in a statement.

The Bangladeshi fishermen on board the two trawlers were brought to the Frazerganj fishing harbour by the ICG later on Wednesday. After ICG handed over the detained fishermen to the police at the Frazerganj Coastal Police Station. Police said the detained fishermen have been arrested on charges of illegal entry.

The fishermen after being interrogated and would be produced before the Kakdwip court on Thursday afternoon.

As per ICG, in the last three months, Indian Coast Guard has apprehended 8 Bangladeshi fishing boats with 170 crew. On December 15, a Bangladesh Navy ship had collided with a fishing trawler belonging to fishermen from Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district after entering Indian waters.