The Civil Court has ordered the confiscation of a Sri Lankan fishing vessel and imposed a MVR 600,000 fine after it was found guilty of illegally fishing within the Maldives' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The vessel, identified as Jayan Putha 2, was intercepted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard in January last year while conducting unauthorized fishing activities in Maldivian waters.

Authorities also recovered fish and fishing equipment from the vessel during the operation.

Under the Maldives Fisheries Act, the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture holds the authority to impose a fine of MVR 400,000 individually on the owner and the operator of any foreign vessel proven to have engaged in illegal fishing within the nation's territorial waters.

In its ruling issued yesterday, the Civil Court found the vessel's owner, AJVD Silva, responsible for the offense and ordered the payment of a MVR 600,000 fine to the Ministry of Fisheries.

The court also ordered the permanent forfeiture of the vessel to the Maldivian state.

The judgment was delivered in absentia after the defendant failed to appear before the court.