Navy apprehends 04 individuals for illegal sea cucumber harvesting off Vankalai

In a crackdown on illegal fishing practices, the Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 04 individuals who were engaged in unlawful night diving to harvest sea cucumbers in the seas off Vankalai, Mannar, on 27 Mar 26.

This search operation was conducted by SLNS Pussadeva, under the North Central Naval Command, as part of the Navy's ongoing efforts to protect the country's marine resources from unauthorized exploitation. During the operation, naval personnel nabbed the suspects and seized 349 illegally harvested sea cucumbers along with a set of diving gear used for the illicit activity.

The apprehended individuals, aged between 26 and 40, have been identified as residents of the Vankalai area in Mannar. Following the apprehension, the suspects, the stock of sea cucumbers, and the diving equipment were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mannar for further legal action.