Foreign fishing vessel seized for illegal fishing in Maldives' waters
16 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 18:08The Maldives Coast Guard has intercepted and seized a foreign vessel with six crew members onboard for illegally fishing within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, approximately 123 nautical miles east of K. Dhiffushi. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is currently in the process of escorting the vessel to the Male' area for further investigation.
Foreign fishing vessel found illegally fishing within Maldivian territorial waters. | MNDF
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has intercepted a foreign vessel found fishing illegally within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) announced on Wednesday that the Coast Guard has intercepted a foreign vessel found fishing illegally within the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during a routine surveillance operation.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) stated that the fishing vessel was intercepted 123 nautical miles east of K. Dhiffushi with six people on board. The MNDF further confirmed that efforts are currently underway to escort the vessel to Male'.
Foreign vessels conducting illegal fishing activities within the Maldives' Special Economic Zone are intercepted periodically. Additionally, authorities have successfully seized several vessels used for drug trafficking.
