Seychelles court remands 8 Sri Lankans for illegal fishing

A Seychelles court has remanded eight Sri Lankan nationals who were allegedly fishing in the island nation’s territorial waters until 19 January.

The Magistrate Court of Seychelles has remanded the eight Sri Lankans for an extra 10 days as the investigation into their case continues, the Seychelles News Agency reported.

Seychelles Fishing Authority’s legal officer Yannick Roucou told SNA that the suspects will return to court on 19 January, after they appeared in court on Monday.

A Seychelles Coast Guard’s patrol ship has intercepted the Sri Lankan fishing vessel with the suspects aboard after it was spotted by the Seychelles Air Force Maritime Patrol Aircraft during a routine surveillance mission northeast of Denis Island on 20 December.

Following consultations with the local fishing authority, the vessel was escorted to Port Victoria, where further investigation was carried out. The vessel which reached the port on 23 December was handed over to the police.

A communiqué from the Seychelles Coast Guard says this was the second Sri Lankan fishing vessel to be intercepted last year on suspicion of illegal fishing.

The first one – LMUL-A-0520 KLT – was intercepted by a Coast Guard’s patrol ship on October 15 after local fishermen alerted relevant authorities. Five people were onboard the vessel.