The Maldivian coastguard seized a foreign fishing vessel and arrested six of its crew who were illegally fishing in the waters that lie in the Maldives’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ),  Sun news reported. 

The incident happened on Monday, the Maldivian National Defense Forces said, and the vessel now being escorted by a coastguard ship named Huravee.  The presence of the foreign vessel in the Maldivian waters was first noticed by a Maldivian boat, Asuruma 3, at around 11:45 on Monday which then reported the presence to the authorities. 

Following which the Maldivian National Defence Forces (MNDF) launched a special operation for the capture of the foreign vessel. 

An aircraft was first dispatched to detect the location which then redirected a nearby coastguard ship, Huravee, to the site. Huravee was returning from India after its regular maintenance. The Maldivian forces also appreciated the alertness of local fishing communities in safeguarding the country’s territory.