AA detains over 30 Bangladeshi nationals for illegal fishing

By Admin 28 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

28 August 2025, Maungdaw

Arakan Army (AA) coast guard forces recently apprehended five fishing boats and more than 30 Bangladeshi nationals for illegally entering Arakan waters, according to local residents.

Locals said the fishing boats were seized in the sea and on the shore near Kyaukpandu Village in Maungdaw Township on August 26.

"We see Bangladeshi boats fishing here all the time," said a resident of Kyaukpandu Village. "At night, Bangladeshi fishing boats sneak onto the shores of this side and fish. Bangladeshis deliberately sneak into the Arakan waters and fish. The AA has arrested fishermen who sneak into Arakan waters, but they cannot control them."

Locals say these areas are in the Naf River estuary and the Bay of Bengal, where hundreds of Bangladeshi nationals enter Arakan waters every day.

Bangladeshi fishing boats that encroach into Arakan waters and illegally fish are making it difficult for local residents, who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.

Locals said that earlier this year, local fishermen in Maungdaw and Rathedaung townships were targeted by gangs of Bangladeshi fishing boats, causing concerns about their safety.

"Earlier this year, there were instances where Bangladeshi fishing boats were seen attacking local fishermen in groups. So there are concerns that local fishermen might do something if Bangladeshi fishing boats were present at sea," said a local man in Rathedaung Township.

Although the Arakan Army has announced that any person who illegally enters Arakan waters and fishes illegally will be prosecuted, Bangladeshi fishing boats continue to frequent those very waters.

The Arakan Army also often releases detained fishermen to improve relations with the Bangladeshi government.

"To solve this illegal fishing problem, the AA authorities need to have a serious discussion. Bangladeshi fishermen also need to follow the rules," said a local resident in Maungdaw. "Another thing is that the AA is being proactive with the Bangladesh government, which is why Bangladeshi fishermen are sneaking into Arakan waters. Now, we see that Bangladesh and the AA are building a relationship and understanding for both sides.

"The Arakan Army also apprehended four Bangladeshi fishing boats that were illegally fishing in the Naf River estuary in the Bay of Bengal on August 23.