Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture has levied a fine on a foreign vessel that was caught while illegally fishing in the Maldivian waters.
The fisheries ministry revealed the owner of the foreign fishing vessel has been fined USD 25,900 for the offence under the Fisheries Act of the Maldives.
The fishing vessel, named Sealion-03, was initially spotted by local fishermen 45 nautical miles east of Laamu Atoll. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received the report of the fishing boat on June 19. Afterward, the Coast Guard conducted a search operation and found the vessel 139 nautical miles east of Laamu Atoll on June 20. The Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated there were five crewmen on board and that the boat is currently under the custody of the Coast Guard.
The origin of the foreign vessel has not been revealed by any of the authorities.