ICG seizes three Bangladeshi boats for illegal fishing in Indian waters

In a firm reinforcement of India’s maritime security along the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Monday seized three Bangladeshi fishing boats and detained 79 crew members including three minors for allegedly fishing illegally inside Indian territorial waters. The action underscores the ICG’s increasing vigilance along the international maritime boundary.

According to officials, the boats were spotted during routine surveillance by Coast Guard vessels when they were found operating nearly two nautical miles inside Indian waters. This is a direct violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981.

ICG ships Amrit Kaur and Kamla Devi, which were patrolling near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the northern Bay of Bengal, intercepted the boats and initiated the seizure. Coast Guard personnel boarded the vessels and conducted detailed inspections.

Officials said the fishermen did not possess any authorisation or permit required to fish within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The fishing gear and catch found onboard were further evidence of illegal activity inside Indian territory.

Following the seizure, the boats and the crew members were escorted to Frazerganj in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. They were handed over to the marine police for further legal action under the relevant maritime laws.

The Coast Guard has stepped up its coastal surveillance efforts to prevent illegal fishing, smuggling and unauthorized entry along this sensitive maritime boundary.

Territorial waters are the belt of coastal waters extending up to 12 nautical miles (about 22 km) from a country’s coastline, over which the country exercises full sovereignty, just like it does on land.