MNDF captures 4 foreign fishing vessels operating in Maldivian EEZ

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has captured 4 foreign fishing vessels operating in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Maldives.

The MNDF Coast Guard captured the vessels 140 nautical miles east from Fulidhoo in Vaavu Atoll. The vessels were first found in Maldivian waters during a joint aerial surveillance by MNDF Coast Guard and Indian Coast Guard, according to MNDF. The captured vessels were escorted to Hulhumale' by CGS Shaheed Ali.

On February 28, MNDF Coast Guard captured 2 fishing vessels from Sri Lanka, while another 2 fishing vessels, also from Sri Lanka, were captured on March 1. The four vessels were spotted off of Kelaa in Haa Alif Atoll, in the north of Maldives.