Navy arrests fourteen local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing activities
 

Navy arrested 14 persons who engaged in illegal fishing activities in two separate incidents. Accordingly, the naval personnel attached to SLNS Buwaneka in Nachchikuda of North Central Command, apprehended 11 persons who were transferring 45 kg haul of illegally caught sea cucumbers in the general area of Kilinochchi yesterday morning (10). During the arrest 03 motor-bicycles and a three-wheeler were also taken into custody. The arrested persons and the items were handed over to the Inspectorate of Fisheries in Kilinochchi for onward actions. 

On the same day naval personnel attached to SLNS Mahanaga in Panama belonging to South Eastern Naval Command, arrested 03 local fishermen who had caught a Whale Shark illegally, weighing approximately 200 kg, in the seas off Oluvil Fisheries Harbour. The trawler used for this purpose was taken into custody as well. The Whale Shark is a prohibited fish species to harvest according to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act. The apprehended persons and the belongings were produced to the Addalachchenai Fisheries Inspector for further investigations.