As mandated in the Section 4 of the Department of Coast Guard Act No. 41 of 2009 to prevent illegal fishing and protecting marine resources, SLCG is conducting counter poaching operations in Coastal areas, Maritime Zones and territorial waters of Sri Lanka. Due to heavy presence and encroachment of foreign fishing vessels into Sri Lankan waters in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar SLCG Fast Patrol Boats (FPB) are deployed in Northern waters around the clock to deter the poaching by foreign fishing vessels using illegal fishing method such as bottom trawling.

Also, SLCG assist repatriation of foreign fishermen released from judicial custody of Sri Lanka and conducts mid-sea takeover operations of repatriated Sri Lankan Fishermen. During the period from 2013 to July 2020 SLCG repatriated total of 2043 Indian fishermen who were released from Sri Lankan custody with 246 fishing vessels.. Further, SLCG has taken over 691 Sri Lanka fishermen and 107 fishing vessels repatriated from Neighboring countries.