7 captured Sri Lankan fishing boats taken to Hulhumale’

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) says the seven Sri Lankan boats which were captured fishing in the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone on Friday have been transported to suburban Hulhumale’.

The seven fishing boats were captured by the Coastguard from 175 nautical miles off the eastern coast of Male’ City.

The crew on two of the boats had been engaged in fishing using throw nets when it was captured by the Coastguard.

Raajjeyge khaassa iguthisaadhee kan'duge sarahahdhun qavaaidhaa khilaafah masverikan kuran ulhenikoh mi mahuge 22 vana dhuvahu MNDF Coast Guard Ship Shaheed Ali ge belumuge dhashah genevunu Lanka ge 7 masboat rey fathihu Hulhumale' ah genesfi pic.twitter.com/hHp1K8d88Q

— Maldives National Defence Force (@MNDF_Official) November 24, 2019

MNDF says all seven fishing boats were taken to suburban Hulhumale’ in custody of the Coastguard at dawn this Sunday.

The operation to capture the seven Sri Lankan fishing boats was initiated based on a tip the Coastguard received from local fishing boat, Asuruma-3.