MNDF Coastguard Intercepts Foreign Fishing Vessel Operating Illegally in Maldives EEZ
Illegal fishing activity stopped by MNDF Coastguard in the Maldives EEZ | Photo: MNDF
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coastguard has intercepted a foreign fishing vessel operating illegally within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޚާއްޞަ އިޤްތިސާދީ ސަރަހައްދަށް ގަވާއިދާ ޚިލާފަށް ވަދެއުޅުނު ބޭރުގެ މަސްބޯޓެއް، އެމްއެންޑީއެފް ކޯސްޓްގާޑުގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެސްފި. 6 މީހުން ތިބި މި ބޯޓު ފެނިފައިވަނީ ކ.ދިއްފުށްޓާ ދިމާ އިރުމަތިން ރާއްޖޭގެ ޚާއްޞަ އިޤްތިސާދީ ސަރަހައްދުން. pic.twitter.com/1rKoWwYCms
— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) August 20, 2025advertisement
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The vessel was apprehended east of K. Dhiffushi while engaged in unauthorised fishing activities. The boat, registered under the Sri Lankan flag, had six individuals on board at the time of its capture.
The MNDF has handed the vessel over to the Maldives Police Service for further investigation.
Incidents of illegal fishing by foreign vessels in Maldivian waters are a recurring concern. International law prohibits foreign vessels from operating within another nation’s EEZ without prior authorisation.
