Sri Lankan fishing boat intercepted in Seychelles EEZ |29 February 2020

The Sri Lankan registered fishing boat that was intercepted (Photo source: SCG)

A Sri Lankan registered fishing boat has been intercepted by the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) on suspicion of fishing illegally in the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The boat with seven fishermen on board was first spotted by Seychelles Air Force Dornier aircraft during a routine patrol in an area south of Mahé on Wednesday February 26, 2020.

On the same day, Seychelles Coast Guard Patrol ship Etoile was dispatched to intercept the vessel.

On boarding and inspecting the vessel in the morning of Thursday February 27, the SCG boarding team and inspectors from the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) observed that the vessel and her crew may have been involved in illegal fishing activities within Seychelles waters.

The boat was subsequently escorted to Port Victoria, arriving in the early hours of Friday February 28, 2020.

Necessary investigation procedures have started in this case.

This is the first case of suspected illegal fishing recorded for the year 2020. Last year, seven such cases were investigated by local authorities, resulting in five successful prosecutions.

Press Release from SCG