Navy nabs 36 suspects for involvement in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers in Illuppukadawai seas

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 36 individuals along with a haul of 1750 Nos sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted in the sea of Illuppukadawai, Mannar in the dark hours of 30 Mar 26. The search operation also led to the seizure of 06 dinghies and diving gear used for this illegal act.

The operation was carried out by SLNS Buwaneka, of the North Central Naval Command. During the search operation, naval personnel intercepted the 06 suspicious dinghies and discovered that the crew members were engaging in illegal night diving to harvest sea cucumbers.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Illuppukadawai and Nachchikuda areas, from 22 to 59 years of age. Those suspects, along with the sea cucumbers, diving gear and the dinghies, were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Punakari for onward legal action. Subsequently, the Navy released the haul of sea cucumbers back into the ocean near the Nachchikuda jetty, with the intervention of the Kilinochchi Fisheries Inspector.