12 Fishermen from Rameswaram held by Sri Lankan Navy for poaching; trawler impounded

The Sri Lankan Navy personnel arrested at least 12 fishermen from Rameswaram and Thangachimadam in Ramanathapuram district on charges of poaching in international waters, and their trawler was impounded on Tuesday (December 23, 2025). According to information, the Fisheries department officials said, “The 12 fishermen were engaged in fishing between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar waters. The surveillance team from Sri Lanka had apprehended them and taken them to a Naval port in the island nation along with the trawler. On Monday (December 22), about 450 tokens were issued to fishermen from the Rameswaram jetty. The trawler impounded by the Sri Lankan Navy is owned by Jothibas of Manthoppu, Thangachimadam. It is said the boat is not registered with the authorities, but they had obtained a token. The 12 fishermen include Prabhat (28), James Heiton (29), Antony (32 officials said. Expressing concern over the insecurity to their livelihood, the fishermen from the region appealed to the State and Central Governments to secure their release. The fishermen’s associations are likely to convene a meeting during the day and discuss the next course of action. Published - December 23, 2025 10:33 am IST

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