IUU Fishing

Navy nabs 04 suspects for involvement in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 04 individuals along with a haul of 437 sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted in the sea off South Bar, Mannar, on the morning of 04 Mar 26. The search operation also led to the seizure of a dinghy used for this illegal act.

06 Mar 2026

Nineteen (19) individuals held for engaging in illegal fishing

In separate operations conducted by the Navy from 16 to 28 Feb 26, nineteen (19) individuals involved in various illegal fishing activities were apprehended along with 02 dinghies, 03 canoes and 07 traditional boats in multiple locations across the island.

06 Mar 2026

Navy seizes 685kg haul of illegally transported dried sea cucumbers in Mohoththuwaram seas

A search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the Mohoththuwaram sea area, Kalpitiya on 23 Feb 26 resulted in the seizure of a large stock (685kg) of dried sea cucumbers being illegally transported by sea. The operation also led to the apprehension of a suspect (01) and a dinghy (01) used for this illegal act.

24 Feb 2026

Navy seizes an Indian fishing boat poaching in Mannar seas

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 22 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized 01 Indian fishing boat and apprehended 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area south of Mannar.

24 Feb 2026

Navy and Coast Guard seize 04 Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters

During operations conducted in the dark hours of 18 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard seized 04 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 22 Indian fishermen, while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters north of Mannar and off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

19 Feb 2026

Navy seizes 02 Indian fishing boats poaching in northern waters

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 15 and wee hours of 16 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended twenty five (25) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kankesanthurai, Jaffna.

16 Feb 2026

Navy nabs 07 suspects for illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers

During a search operation in the sea area north of Iranativu, Kilinochchi in the dark hours of 05 Feb 26, the Navy apprehended 07 persons with 355 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, 02 dinghies and diving equipment.

07 Feb 2026

Navy clamps down on illegal meat mongers on Nachchikuda beach

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 03 suspects with 17kg of turtle flesh, 39 turtle eggs and a dinghy (01), during a search operation in the Nachchikuda beach area of Mannar on 31 Jan 26.

02 Feb 2026

Naval vigilance preserves marine life: A suspect held for illegal possession of turtle eggs

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended one (01) suspect in possession of 117 turtle eggs, during a search operation conducted in the beach vicinity of Kalladichenei of Trincomalee on 28 Jan 26.

31 Jan 2026

Navy seizes 02 Indian fishing boats poaching in northern waters

During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.

21 Jan 2026