IUU Fishing
Navy seizes 01 Indian fishing boat poaching in island waters, off Delft Island
Navy seizes 01 Indian fishing boat poaching in Northern waters
Twenty-six (26) persons apprehended for engaging in illegal fishing

In a series of coordinated search operations conducted by the Navy from 28 Feb to 09 Mar 25, twenty-six (26) individuals involved in various illegal fishing activities were apprehended. The individuals were caught engaging in practices such as illegal night diving, illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers, and the use of explosives for fishing. The operations spanned multiple locations, including Nandikadal Lagoon, Back Bay, Manmunai, Erakkandi, Veththalakerni, Batticaloa Lagoon, Mannar, Kudiramalei Point, and Kinniya. During the raids, authorities confiscated illegal fishing gear, including 233 trap nets, 12 trammel nets, 11 monofilament nets, and 2,130 sea cucumbers, as well as 02 cabs and 04 dinghies.
12 Mar 2025
Navy apprehends 17 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers in northern seas

The Navy apprehended 17 persons for their involvement in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers, during a search operation carried out off the ‘K’ Point and in the sea of Vinayasodi, Jaffna in the dark hours of 01 Mar 25. The operation also led to the seizure of 4255 illegally harvested sea cucumbers and 04 dinghies.
03 Mar 2025
Navy nabs 07 persons for engaging in illegal fishing practices

The Navy apprehended 07 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing practices, during separate operations conducted in the beach and sea areas of Kinniya, Sinnaweli, Sallimunei, Nandikadal, and Vankalai from 19 to 24 Feb 25. The individuals had engaged in night diving and used explosives, when they were apprehended. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 02 fishing boats, 65 unauthorized nets, 04 detonators, 02 gelignite sticks and 04 safety fuses.
28 Feb 2025
Seventeen (17) individuals apprehended for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 17 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing practices, during separate operations conducted in the beach and sea areas of Kokkadi, Nandikadal, Mullaitivu, Anawasala, Sinnapadu and Kadeikadu from 03 to 19 Feb 25. The individuals had engaged in fishing using explosives, fishing with unauthorized nets sans valid license and illegal night diving, when the apprehensions were made. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 12 fishing boats, 01 motorbike, 156 unauthorized fishing nets, 184 sea cucumbers and 22 conch shells.
21 Feb 2025
Navy seizes 03 Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters
Five (05) individuals apprehended for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 05 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing practices, during separate operations conducted in the sea area of Muddalampiddi in Kilinochchi and Nandikadal lagoon in Mullaitivu from 03 to 12 Feb 25. The individuals engaged in illegal night diving and fishing with unauthorized nets when the apprehensions were made. The operations also resulted in the seizure of 04 fishing boats and 250 unauthorized fishing nets used for these illegal acts.
13 Feb 2025