Seychelles Coast Guard intercepts two foreign fishing vessels |02 October 2015

The Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) has intercepted two foreign vessels suspected to be involved in illegal fishing activity in the Seychelles exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The two boats were spotted by SCG patrol ship Etoile late on Wednesday September 30, 2015 in the vicinity of Cosmoledo atoll, some 561 nautical miles south-west of Mahé Island. 

PS Etoile came across two vessels while on a routine patrol around the Outer Islands. A coast guard boarding team was subsequently sent on board to carry out a search and to question the crew.  

Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) inspectors and the police have also been dispatched to the location to conduct more detailed search and collect necessary evidence. The two boats with 29 Malagasy crew on board have sailed to Seychelles waters from Madagascar.

The two suspected vessels will later be escorted to Port Victoria where the police and SFA will further their investigation.