The government has released five trespassing Sri Lankan boats after their fines were paid.
In September, the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) seized five fishing vessels from Sri Lanka that had illegally entered the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Maldives. MNDF stated that four of the five vessels were brought under the custody of the Coast Guard on September 18 during an operation following a tip-off provided by a local fishing vessel. The fifth vessel was apprehended on September 19.
Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture stated that the vessels were released after paying fines amounting to USD32,000 in total. Each vessel was fined USD6,500 for illegally entering the EEZ of the Maldives. The ministry stated it has the authority to impose fines of over USD6,500 for illegally entering Maldivian territory. A total of 20 foreign fishing boats have been fined for trespassing in the Maldives since the ratification of the new Fisheries Act in 2019.
The government is working with the relevant authorities to intercept foreign fishing vessels in the EEZ of the Maldives. Foreign vessels frequently enter the Maldivian territory to illegally fish. Such vessels are often reported to the Coast Guard by local fishermen and are released once their fine is paid.