MALE, 29 April, 2021 (TON): On Thursday, five foreign boats got caught by the Maldivian authorities for illegally fishing in the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone.

The boats were seen and sighted by the Coastguard ship Huravee during patrol, said Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

The boats have been captured and are now under the custody of Huravee.

The boats were found to the east of V. Atoll, 30 nautical miles inside the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone.

However, the identity of the fishermen on board remains unclear.