On 17th December, the Indian Coast Guard ship “Anmol” apprehended two Bangladeshi fishing boats with 35 crew in the Northern Bay of Bengal. The Bangladeshi crew was engaged in illegal fishing within the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Bangladeshi fishermen were found violating the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981.
As per the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the presence of active fishing gear and approximately 500 kilograms of fish catch clearly indicated ongoing fishing operations inside Indian waters.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Anmol, while undertaking routine surveillance operations in the Northern Bay of Bengal on 16 Dec 25, apprehended two Bangladeshi Fishing Boats (BFBs) along with 35 crew members for engaging in illegal fishing activities inside India’s Exclusive… pic.twitter.com/LZ7wSgiWvY
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
The ICG took custody of the Bangladeshi nationals. Subsequently, the Bangladeshi fishermen were handed over to the Frazerganj Marine Police in West Bengal on 17th December. Further legal proceedings in the matter are underway.
Notably, the ICG has frequently been intercepting Bangladeshi fishing boats illegally operating in the Indian EEZ. Over the last three months, the Indian Coast Guard has apprehended eight Bangladeshi fishing boats carrying a total of 170 crew members.
In November, the ICG apprehended a Bangladeshi fishing boat with 28 crew members illegally operating in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the northern Bay of Bengal.
