Foreign Boat Detained for Illegal Fishing in Maldives’ EEZ

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coastguard took a foreign fishing boat into custody today. 

MNDF said that the boat was caught fishing illegally, 123 nautical miles east of K. Dhiffushi. 

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They further stated that efforts are currently underway to escort the vessel and its 6 crew members to Malé as part of ongoing operations to monitor and secure Maldivian territory.

Two unauthorised vessels that entered Maldivian waters without official permission also sank roughly 30 nautical miles off Malé Atoll after running aground on Malé’s reef and colliding with the Sinamale Bridge. The incident unfolded on Thursday night when a strong storm caused the vessels to drag anchor and drift.