Coast Guard has detained 122 fishermen and 19 fishing boats before Arakan Army could apprehend them for illegally fishing in Myanmar waters.
Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, Media Officer of the Coast Guard, provided this information on Friday noon in a press release.
The press release stated that based on confidential information, it was learned that several Bangladeshi fishing boats were crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime boundary near Shahporir Dwip, under Sabrang Union of Teknaf Thana, to fish within Myanmar’s territorial waters. Acting on this information, the BCG Outpost Shahpori conducted a special operation on Friday, August 29, 2025, in the Myanmar border area near Naikshyongdia, adjacent to the Naf River estuary, up to Jaliapara, within the vicinity of Shahporir Dwip Border Pillar-03. During the operation, 19 Bangladeshi fishing boats, along with 122 fishermen (29 Bangladeshis and 93 Rohingyas), were detained for illegally crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime boundary and fishing in Myanmar’s waters.
It is mentioned that, despite the existing ban, the tendency of Bangladeshi fishing boats to cross the Bangladesh-Myanmar zero line and enter Myanmar’s territory for fishing has significantly increased in recent days. As a result, the Arakan Army has been detaining Bangladeshi fishermen along with their boats almost daily.
The subsequent legal proceedings for the detained fishermen and seized boats are underway.
Such operations will continue in the future by the Bangladesh Coast Guard to ensure the safety of fishermen, press release added.
