Last February approximately 835 fishing trawlers were sighted bottom trawling and poaching in 29 locations well within Sri Lankan territorial waters, a report states. The report was sent by the Sri Lankan Navy Headquarters to the Director Naval Operations (Indian) as well as the Director Operations, Indian Coast Guard, The Hindu reported. In addition, the High Commission of India in Colombo and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India received the information. It was outlined that the trawlers and poachers were close to the shores of Mullaitivu, Point Pedro, Talaimannar, Vetthlaikeni, Kakerathivu as well as the Delft Islands. In the annexures, the report also includes details such as the time when the trawlers were noticed. According to the report writers, this situation has been going on for years and stated that as a result, it is possible to seize the vessels and arrest the fishermen. For example, in the first three months of this year, it was reported that 14 boats and 85 fishermen were arrested. While the fishermen will be eventually released, the boats will be held back, as if the boats are released, they are likely to be found fishing again. Since the civil war ended, some of the dynamics have changed. Sri Lankan fishermen want to assert the right over their territorial waters.