Teknaf, Sept 27 (V7N) – The Coast Guard detained 17 fishermen and seized an illegal artisanal trawling boat, six trawling nets and around 700 kilograms of marine fish during an operation in the sea area northwest of St Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, on Saturday.

The operation was conducted by Coast Guard Station St Martin’s at around 11am following a tip-off, said Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, media officer of the Coast Guard.

He said the Coast Guard seized the illegal artisanal trawling boat and subsequently searched it.

During the search, six trawling nets and around 700kg of marine fish, valued at approximately Tk 2 lakh 10 thousand, were recovered. The 17 fishermen aboard the boat were also detained.

Sujon said legal proceedings against the detained fishermen and the seized items were being initiated.

He added that the Coast Guard would continue such operations to protect marine fisheries resources.

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