Foreign fishing vessel with seven crew members seized for illegal fishing in Maldives' EEZ
1 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 09:04The MNDF Coast Guard has intercepted a foreign vessel with seven crew members onboard for illegally fishing within the Maldives' EEZ. The vessel was seized approximately 46 nautical miles northwest of Ha. Thuraakunu during a special operation conducted by the Coast Guard Ship Imaduddin.
Foreign fishing vessel found illegally fishing in Maldivian waters. | MNDF
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has seized a foreign vessel with seven crew members onboard for illegally fishing within the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The MNDF has announced that the Coast Guard Ship Imaduddin has intercepted and seized a foreign fishing vessel operating illegally within the Maldives' EEZ during a special operation.
The MNDF reported that the fishing vessel was intercepted at approximately 18:34 on September 30. The vessel was located 46 nautical miles northwest of Thuraakunu in Haa Alif Atoll. According to the MNDF, there were seven individuals on board the vessel at the time of the seizure.
Furthermore, on September 16, 2026, the MNDF intercepted another foreign vessel engaged in illegal fishing within the Maldives' territorial waters.
The fishing vessel was intercepted 123 nautical miles east of K. Dhiffushi with six people on board.
Foreign vessels conducting illegal fishing activities within the Maldives' EEZ are intercepted periodically. Additionally, authorities have successfully seized vessels used for drug trafficking within these waters.
