COLOMBO, Aug. 13 -- Sri Lanka Navy arrested nine Indian fishermen engaged in illegal bottom trawling off Talaimannar, and seized their fishing trawler in the early hours of Wednesday (12). The detection and arrest were made during a naval patrol in the sea area off Urumalei Point, near Talaimannar.

The Navy said the Indian trawler had crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and entered Sri Lankan waters, where the fishermen were engaged in bottom trawling using prohibited fishing gear.

It said the apprehended fishermen and the trawler would be handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Inspector for further legal action.

Bottom trawling is prohibited in Sri Lankan waters due to its impact on marine ecosystems and biodiversity....