Kolkata, Feb 17 (NationPress) The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) revealed on Tuesday that a Bangladeshi fishing vessel, carrying 28 crew members, was intercepted in the Bay of Bengal for illegal fishing within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The apprehension occurred during a surveillance operation by the Coast Guard.

On Sunday, the ICG ship was conducting surveillance in the Northern region of the Bay of Bengal when it detected the foreign fishing boat operating unlawfully. According to an official statement, "Indian Coast Guard Ship Amrit Kaur, while on surveillance in the Northern Bay of Bengal, apprehended 01 Bangladeshi Fishing Boat (BFB) along with 28 crew for illegally fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on 15 Feb 26."

During its patrol, the ship observed the Bangladeshi fishing vessel operating inside Indian territorial waters, violating the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981 (MZI Act). The Coast Guard boarding teams intercepted, boarded, and conducted a thorough inspection of the vessel.

Officials reported that the crew could not provide any valid authorization or permits for fishing in India's maritime areas. The fishing gear and the catch indicated active fishing activities within the restricted zone.

The vessel and its crew were taken into custody and escorted safely to Frazerganj for subsequent legal actions.

This incident underscores the Indian Coast Guard's unwavering dedication to safeguarding India's maritime interests, curbing illegal fishing practices, and ensuring the safety of Indian fishermen in the area, as further stated in the report.

The Indian Coast Guard consistently monitors the Bay of Bengal with continual surface and aerial surveillance to enforce maritime laws and protect national maritime assets.

Earlier, on February 7, the Coast Guard reported the seizure of three vessels near Mumbai, disrupting an international oil smuggling operation involving multiple countries that coordinated the transfer of cargo between ships at sea.

Following a well-coordinated sea-air operation on February 5 and 6, the apprehended vessels are expected to be escorted to Mumbai for further investigations, as per an official announcement.

The vessels will be handed over to Indian Customs and other enforcement agencies for appropriate legal measures. Initial findings suggest that the vessels routinely changed their identities to avoid detection by maritime law enforcement, with their owners based in foreign territories. This operation dismantled a complex network involved in the illegal transfer of substantial quantities of oil and oil-based cargo from conflict-affected regions, as stated in the report.