Sri Lankan registered fishing boat detained in Port Victoria |15 April 2020

The Sri Lankan registered fishing boat Sampath (Photo source: SPDF)

The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) patrol boat Le Vigilant on Monday this week intercepted a Sri Lankan registered fishing boat that was spotted by Seychelles Air Force (SAF) Dornier aircraft East of Denis Island.

The vessel, Sampath (IMU-A-0911KLP), with six fishermen, suspected to be engaged in illegal fishing, has been escorted to Port Victoria where she is now anchored and quarantined as per existing health procedures in place, while necessary legal procedures are undertaken.

The interception comes as a result of coordinated maritime operations which have been stepped up as part of the national plan to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The maritime unified inter-agency operation is being coordinated by the Seychelles National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC).

Sampath is the third Sri Lankan registered fishing boat to be intercepted by the SCG this year.

Press release from the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF)