Emission of Indian Waters by Foreign Boats Indian Coast Guard Strengthens Patrol
There were 79 Bangladeshi fishermen that the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) arrested and took three fishing boats when they were caught fishing illegally in Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal.
This operation was done in the course of normal surveillance, with Coast Guard vessels having identified suspicious vessels that were venturing along the Indian Ocean boundary.
Officials stated that the fishermen were warned a number of times, and the boats proceeded in their operations that were intercepted and boarded by the Coast Guard.
After checking the ships, it was established that the ships had violated the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and were fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
The whole crew, consisting of 79 fishermen and three boats, was arrested and detained on the mainland to be further interrogated.
According to the Coast Guard, marine resources and coastline protection of India are a priority.
The entry of foreign fishing ships, not only due to the illegal entry into the waters of a particular country, impacts the maritime security but also the livelihood of the Indian fishermen who earn their daily livelihood through the same waters.
Coast guard officers also noted that the problem of illegal fishing has been in the area for some time due to the proximity of the maritime borders and maritime drift of fishermen to other countries of the area, with the Bay of Bengal being one such area.
The patrols have been intensified during the recent months, and the agency has been detecting and stopping the illegal fishing practices by use of fast patrol vessels, aircraft, and radars.
The rising demand for serious enforcement is also made evident through this incident because fish stock in the coastal waters is reducing through overfishing.
The fishermen of India have severely complained that the foreign trawlers fell on huge nets and powerful machinery, which interfere with the ecosystem and leave less fish to sustain the local population.
Those who were arrested admitted that the fishermen were provided with food, water, and medical care after their arrest.
They will then be given to the local police and marine units, where they will go through legal processes in the Maritime Zones Act and other applicable legislation.
The fishermen can also be repatriated diplomatically after research, and this will depend on the ultimate ruling of the government.
Cross borders Fishing Problem of concern in both countries
This recent seizure again puts one back to the long standing problem of foreign fishermen trespassing in the Bay of Bengal.
Although India and Bangladesh have a cordial relationship by the ocean, fishermen on both sides occasionally encroach into each other’s waters, either accidentally because of unfavorable weather or on purpose because of the prospects of a better catch.
Indian fishing unions in Odisha and West Bengal have been rejoicing at the tough action taken by the Coast Guard, claiming that the Bangladeshi trawlers repeatedly intrude into their means of livelihood.
Several local fishermen allude to the fact that foreign boats operate in gangs, and in these oceans, they often take huge amounts of fish within a short time, leaving the Indian fishermen, who come in small boats and use the traditional means of fish capture, with very little fish to share between everyone.
Experts are of the view that more bilateral communication and awareness among fishermen will help in minimizing the cases of unintentional crossings.
Nonetheless, intentional illegal fishing is a foreign policy and economical issue for India. The Coast Guard indicates that it will stick to regular patrol in addition to acting decisively whenever foreign ships are detected going against the maritime laws of India.
It might also be succeeded by diplomatic actions, since the deportation of foreign fishermen often demands the collaboration of the two governments.
Cases have been witnessed in the past where Bangladesh would seek the safe release of its fishermen, and India would make sure that legal processes are followed before it resorts to repatriation.
In the meantime, experts in marine security are of the opinion that further surveillance, improved surveillance devices, and stringent implementation will be critical in ensuring that the Exclusive Economic Zone of India is not exploited by illegal means.
They add that such cases remind them well of the relevance of maritime vigilance as a way of protecting the national security and marine resources.
Having apprehended 79 Bangladeshi fishermen and confiscated three fishing boats, the Indian Coast Guard has made a very powerful statement that it will not accept illegal fishing or unauthorized fishing in its waters.
False alarms may topple the future repetition of such actions and hopefully salvage a balance in the marine ecosystem of the area.
As the investigation proceeds, there are hopes that local fishing communities want this operation to curb a potential recurrence of such an unusual activity.
79 Bangladeshi fishermen were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard in violation of the illegal fishing of the Bangladeshi fishermen in the Indian waters in the Bay of Bengal, taking their three boats.
The measure is to conserve the marine resources and take care of Indian fishermen as legal and diplomatic channels are taken.
