Navy apprehends 06 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber

The Sri Lanka Navy on 12th February 2024 apprehended 06 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber sans valid licence, during a search operation conducted in Kalmunai Point sea area, Jaffna. The operation also led to the seizure of a dinghy and 774 sea cucumbers harvested by illegal means.

The Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas of the island in order to suppress illegal fishing activities performed by people with scant regard towards responsible fishing practices.

In continuation of these efforts, the Naval Detachment of Kalmunai Point belonging to SLNS Welusumana in the Northern Naval Command mounted this operation by deploying naval craft and intercepted a dinghy on suspicion, in the sea area of Kalmunai Point. The search led to the apprehension of 06 individuals engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumber, without valid licence. Naval personnel also took hold of the dinghy used for this illegal activity and about 774 sea cucumbers, illegally harvested.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Guru Nagar in Jaffna and are between 27 to 49 years of age. Those 06 suspects together with sea cucumbers, diving equipment and the dinghy were handed over to the Kilinochchi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.