Two Sri Lankan flagged vessels intercepted on suspicion of illegal fishing |26 June 2021

The two intercepted vessels entering Port Victoria (Photo: Louis Toussaint)

Two foreign fishing vessels have been intercepted on suspicion of fishing illegally in Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

This was in a coordinated operation carried out by the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG), Seychelles Air Force (SAF), Special Forces Unit (SFU) and the National Information Sharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC).

The two Sri Lankan registered vessels, with 6 Sri Lankan nationals on each boat, were spotted 177 nautical miles northwest of Mahé by the SAF Dornier patrol aircraft during a routine patrol.

SCG patrol ship Etoile was diverted to carry out the interception which took place on Wednesday June 23.

The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) was notified and based on evidence found, the fishing vessels were escorted to Port Victoria for further investigation. The vessels arrived in Port Victoria under escort yesterday morning. Investigations are still ongoing.

Press release from the SPDF