Navy apprehends a suspect and seizes 1,865kg of fish suspected to be caught using explosives

A search operation conducted by the Navy in the beach vicinity of Nilaveli, Trincomalee today (30th August 2024), resulted in the arrest of a suspect attempting to sell approximately 1,865kg of fish stock, believed to have been caught using commercial explosives.

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 practices.

The search operation was conducted in the beach area of Nilaveli by SLNS Vijayaba in the Eastern Naval Command. Naval personnel, during a search of a fish collection center, discovered 72 boxes of fish stock suspected to have been caught using commercial explosives. The haul, weighing approximately 1865 kg, was seized, and a suspect attempting to sell the illegally harvested fish stock was apprehended by the Navy.

The suspect held in this operation was identified as a resident of Nilaveli, aged 39. The suspect and fish were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Trincomalee for onward legal action.