AA detains eight Bangladeshi nationals for fishing in Arakan waters

By Admin 11 Sep 2025

DMG Newsroom

11 September 2025, Maungdaw

Arakan Army (AA) coast guard forces recently apprehended one fishing boat and eight Bangladeshi nationals for illegally entering Arakan waters, according to local residents.

Locals said the fishing boat was seized in the sea offshore near Kyaukpandu Village in Maungdaw Township on the morning of September 10, and the detained Bangladeshi fishermen are being questioned.

"The Arakan Army's coast guard forces have captured a Bangladeshi fishing boat. The fishing boat is big. So far, we have not heard that the Bangladeshi fishing boat has been released," said a local man from Kyaukpandu Village.

Bangladeshi fishing boats often illegally fish in Arakan waters and the Arakan Army arrests and deports their crews to Bangladesh.

In late August, AA coast guard forces released video footage of Bangladeshi fishing boats being chased and captured for poaching in Arakan waters.

"Bangladesh should strictly prohibit its citizens from fishing in Arakan waters. Now the Bangladeshi government wants to put pressure on the Arakan Army in some way," said a young man studying foreign relations in Thailand.

Fisheries resources are dwindling due in part to illegal fishing by Bangladeshis in Arakan waters, and local fishermen are facing many difficulties making a living.

Locals say that if Bangladeshi nationals continue to illegally fish in Arakan waters, it could cause significant harm to local people in the future. Many are urging the Arakan Army to address the issue more effectively.