ICG apprehends Bangladeshi boat with 28 crew members for illegal fishing in Indian waters

The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday (November 20, 2025) apprehended a Bangladeshi fishing vessel along with 28 crew members for illegally operating inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the northern Bay of Bengal.

According to Coast Guard, during International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) surveillance, an ICG ship detected a suspicious vessel carrying out evasive manoeuvres within Indian waters. The boat was intercepted and identified as a Bangladeshi fishing vessel violating the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981. An ICG boarding team carried out a detailed rummaging of the boat.

According to officials, none of the 28 crew members possessed valid authorisation or permits to fish inside the Maritime Zones of India. The fishing gear and onboard catch confirmed active fishing within prohibited areas. The vessel was escorted to Namkhana Fishing Harbour, where the crew and boat were handed over to the Marine Police for legal action.

This is the fourth such apprehension in a week, highlighting the Coast Guard’s sustained efforts to curb illegal fishing and safeguard India’s maritime interests. The ICG continues to maintain 24×7 surface and aerial surveillance across the Bay of Bengal to enforce maritime laws and protect Indian fishermen.