The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coastguard has intercepted a foreign vessel operating illegally within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
According to the MNDF, the vessel was apprehended on 16 September 2026 during ongoing maritime surveillance operations conducted to safeguard the nation’s maritime territory. The boat was caught engaging in unauthorised fishing approximately 123 nautical miles east of K. Dhiffushi with six crew members on board.
The Coastguard has taken the vessel into custody and is currently escorting the boat and its crew to Malé for further investigation and legal action.
