Maldives National Defense Force MNDF Coast Guard has caught a foreign fishing vessel fishing illegally in Maldivian waters.
MNDF said that the vessel belonged to Sri Lanka and that the vessel was caught by the coastguard ship Huravee off the coast of Meemu Atoll Mulee.
They also said that the report of the Sri Lankan vessel was made by a local vessel named 'Alamoo 2'.
MNDF further said that the foreign vessel had a crew of 6 members and that it was now traveling to Laamu Kahdhoo under the custody of MNDF.
Although such occurrences are somewhat rare, foreign vessels can fish in Maldivian waters after acquiring a special permit from the fisheries Ministry.
If a vessel is caught while illegally fishing in Maldivian waters, they have to pay a fine to the Maldivian government.
If they are unable to pay the fee, Maldivian authorities have the power to confiscate the vessel.
