Navy apprehends 22 persons for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy nabbed 22 persons who were engaging in illegal fishing practices, during separate operations conducted in the sea areas of Nagar Kovil and Kudarappu, Kilinochchi and Adukkupadu, Trincomalee on 17th May 2024. The operations also led to the seizure of 07 dinghies, about 400 sea cucumbers and unauthorized fishing gear employed for these illegal acts.

The Sri Lanka Navy remains vigilant and conducts operations to combat illegal fishing in its sea and coastal areas, with a view to supporting legal fishing activities.

During search operations in the sea areas of Nagar Kovil and Kudarappu, the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command apprehended 15 individuals, for their involvement in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers. The operations also led to the seizure of 06 dinghies and about 400 illegally harvested sea cucumbers.

Moreover, SLNS Vijayaba in the Eastern Naval Command conducted a search operation in the Adukkupadu sea area where 07 persons were held for their involvement in fishing with unauthorized fishing nets. During this operation, naval personnel also held a dinghy (01) and unauthorized fishing equipment used for this illegal act.

The individuals held in these operations were identified as residents of Mannar, Kalpitiya, Mamunei and Nilaveli, who are from 25 to 50 years of age. The 15 individuals held in Nagar Kovil and Kudarappu, along with 06 dinghies and sea cucumbers, were handed over to the office of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Jaffna for onward legal action. Similarly, the 07 individuals, the dinghy (01) and fishing equipment held in Adukkupadu were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Trincomalee for onward legal proceedings.