Navy apprehends 24 persons for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 24 persons who engaged in illegal fishing practices, during special operations conducted in the Sallimunai beach area, Trincomalee, sea and beach areas of Vakarei and off Nagar Kovil, Jaffna on 05th and 06th October 2023. The operations also led to the seizure of 09 dinghies, 01 cab, diving equipment and unauthorized fishing gear.

The Navy carries out regular operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to prevent illegal fishing practices which threaten the sustainability of the fish stock.

Accordingly, SLNS Walagamba and SLNS Ranweli in the Eastern Naval Command carried out a search operation in the beach area of Sallimunai on 05th October and nabbed 02 persons who were preparing fish, caught by explosives, for transportation. The operation also led to the apprehension of a cab used for the illegal act.

Meanwhile, SLNS Kashyapa belonging to the same Naval Command carried out a coordinated search operation with the Office of Fisheries Inspector, Vakarei and apprehended 13 persons in the beach and sea areas of Vakarei for catching fish by means of illegal light-coarse method on 05th and 06th October. The operation also led to the seizure of 06 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear.

In the same vein, Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command held 09 persons along with 03 dinghies, diving gear and illegal fishing equipment, for engaging in fishing without valid license off Nagar Kovil on 05th October.

The individuals held in these operations are residents of Kalpitiya, Panichchankerni and Mannar, from 22 to 50 years of age. The 24 persons along with the dinghies, cab and other unauthorized fishing and diving gear held were handed over to the Kuchchaveli and Vakarei Fisheries Inspectors and Jaffna Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department for onward legal proceedings.