Coast Guard apprehends Indonesian trawler

Port Blair, Aug 26 (UNI) Five fishermen of an Indonesian trawler were nabbed by the Coast Guard yesterday for illegally fishing in the Andaman waters, sources today said.

The boat ''KM Hakiki'' along with the fishermen were handed over to the Andaman police.

Coast Guard sources today told UNI that huge quantity of dead sharks and dolphins, stored in the Indonesian trawler, were seized.

The coast guardship "Kanklata Barua", which was on routine patrolling, sighted the Indonesian boat 18 miles off Car Nicobar late Thursday evening, Commandant Rajesh Makwana, the Captain of the ship, said.

The ship, having a speed of 22 knots, captured the fleeing boat after a chase for half an hour in the choppy sea. Warning shots were also fired as they tried to escape, the Captain added.

Finally the captured trawler was brought to Port Blair after 20 -long hours yesterday due to rough weather condition, the Coast Guard Commandant added.

About 1500 kg of fish besides sharks and dolphins were stored in the Indonesian boat, which could attain a high speed of 10 knott and was equipped with ice boxes.

The ship sailed from Indonesia on August 18 for fishing activities.

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