Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) has apprehended 14 Indian fishing boats with 31 crew members for illegally poaching within Pakistan Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

A statement here on Sunday said that the PSMA is maintaining surveillance over Pakistani Exclusive Economic Zone to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests.

It said that during routine patrolling by PMSA units on January 21, as many as 14 Indian fishing boats along with 31 crew members were apprehended well in side Pakistani waters, approximate 220 NM.

It is pertinent to mention that Indian fishermen continue to intrude in Pakistan’s marine rich Indus Delta Region containing high quality fish at the cost of the livelihood of local fishermen resulting in depletion of our fish stocks and ecological damage to rare fish species.

The apprehended fishermen were handed over to Docks Police Station for further investigation, it was further pointed out.