33 foreign boats, 219 fishermen arrested for illegally fishing in Indian waters over last 22 months

 A total of 33 foreign fishing vessels and 219 fishermen have been arrested by the Coast Guard during the last 22 months on charges of illegally fishing in Indian waters, a senior official said on Tuesday.

"In the last 22 months, our ships and aircraft have saved 46 lives off Andhra Pradesh coast alone in five search and rescue operations. We also apprehended 33 foreign fishing vessels with 219 crew and 30 tons of fish valued over Rs 30 lakh in international market," CG Inspector General Satya Prakash Sharma, Regional Commander (East) said.

Speaking at the commissioning of ICGS Nizampatnam, Sharma said the Coast Guard have also been rendering support to civil administration during natural calamities and man-made disasters.

A Coast Guard release quoted him as having said that not a single fishermen from Andhra Pradesh lost his life at sea when cyclone Hudhud passed over North Andhra Coast near Visakhapatnam on October 12 due to early warning issued by the CG in coordination with the state Government.

Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Director General of Indian Coast Guard, was also present during the commissioning of ICGS Nizampatnam -- the fourth Coast Guard station in Andhra Pradesh.