Two Sri Lankan registered fishing boats have been intercepted by the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) on suspicion of fishing illegally in the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
One of the boats named SPEED BIRD with five crew, was first spotted and confronted by a local fishing vessel operating south of Mahe on Thursday December 05, 2019. Seychelles Coast Guard Patrol Boat LA FLECHE that was on patrol was diverted to intervene.
Seychelles Air Force (SAF) Dornier Patrol Aircraft then spotted another vessel further south, and again LA FLECHE proceeded to intercept and board this second boat named MADUKA with six crew on board.
Inspections carried out by Coast Guard Boarding Team on both vessels indicated that they may have been involved in illegal fishing activities within Seychelles waters.
Following consultation with the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), the two boats were escorted to Port Victoria by PB LA FLECHE and PS TOPAZ for further investigation. The two boats arrived in Port Victoria in the early hours of Friday 06 December 2019, and have subsequently been handed over to Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and the police.
This is the Six and Seventh suspected illegal fishing case that has been investigated since the start of 2019. Four out of the seven cases resulting in successful prosecution in the Supreme Court of Seychelles.
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