Naval personnel arrest 10 local fishermen engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers
 

Naval personnel onboard P 4445 attached to Eastern Naval Command arrested 6 local fishermen engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers in the seas east of Chalai on 7^th May 2016. During the raid, 150 sea cucumbers along with 2 Fiber Glass Dinghies (FGDs), 20 oxygen cylinders, 4 pairs of diving fins and 4 diving masks were taken into custody. The arrested persons and their belongings were handed over to the Mulaitivu Police for further investigations.

On receipt of information, the naval personnel onboard P 483 belonging to South Eastern Naval Command, arrested another 4 persons engaged in illegal fishing activity using an FGD and diving equipment in the general area of Akkaraipattu on 8^th May 2016. 3 pairs of diving fins, 3 diving masks, 107 sea cucumbers and 25 kilograms of fish (mullet) were taken into custody during the arrest. The apprehended persons and the items were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector (Addalachchenai) for onward action.