The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended three Bangladeshi fishing boats (BFBs) along with 79 crew members for illegal fishing inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Northern Bay of Bengal.

The interceptions took place during International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) surveillance operations on November 15 and 16.

According to ICG, their patrol teams detected the vessels operating well within Indian waters, in violation of the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981. The boats were swiftly intercepted, boarded, and inspected, during which none of the crew could produce valid permits to fish in Indian maritime zones. Fishing gear and freshly caught fish on board confirmed ongoing illegal activity.

All three boats and their crew were

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