Five Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested by Indian Coast Guard for allegedly fishing illegally in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Coast Guard ship ICGS Sarang and a service aircraft spotted the fishermen on board a fishing boat some 80 nautical miles off Mamallapuram of Tamil Nadu at 7.30 pm yesterday, an official release said.

The boat had a fish catch of over 1,000 kg of tuna, it said, adding, the fishermen were handed over to Tamil Nadu Police today for illegally fishing in Indian waters, violating the Maritime Zones of India Act, 1981.

A total of 181 Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested and 34 of their boats have been taken into custody by Indian Coast Guard this year alone for illegally fishing in Indian EEZ. (Outlook)