Chinese fishing vessel spotted off Mangaluru coast, fishermen want Coast Guard probe

MANGALURU: A China-flagged fishing vessel which had transgressed into Indian territorial waters, was spotted by local fishermen off the Mangaluru coast in the deep sea about three days ago.

The men on the Chinese boat signalled the Indian fishermen to move away.

The Chinese fishing vessel was spotted in the night indulging in light fishing which is banned in India. In a video shot by the Mangaluru fishermen, several boats can be seen indulging in light fishing, which the fishermen claimed were all Chinese.

A video taken by the fishermen shows several boats indulging in light fishing at night.

According to the fishermen, the Chinese fishing boat, with the marking BVKY 5, was spotted early the next morning too. When one of the Indian boats approached the Chinese-flagged vessel, some people on the Chinese boat can be seen signalling them to move away.

The local fishermen have insisted that the Indian Coast Guard should investigate whether the Chinese fishing vessel had entered Indian waters inadvertently or whether it was intentional.