76 persons engaged in illegal acts apprehended by Sri Lanka Navy
 

Seventy six (76) persons who were engaging in various illegal acts at different locations in the island, were apprehended by SL Navy. These suspects were nabbed for illegal fishing and using explosive for fishing.

Accordingly, a troop of Naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command apprehended elevan persons (11) who engaged in illegal fishing activities in the seas off Point Pedro on last 16th July. Two dinghies, banned nets and other fishing gears were also taken into naval custody and these items along with the suspects were handed over to the Fisheries Department-Point Pedro for legal action.

On information received by the Navy, Naval personnel attached to Eastern Naval Command apprehended  a person who engaged in illegal fishing activities using explosive in Pudumathalan beach area, on 16^th  July. Fish catchment of 1350 Kg was taken into Naval custody and it, along with the suspect was handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries -Mulathivu for onward action.

On the same day, on information received by the Navy 24 persons who were engaging in illegal fishing practices were apprehended during a raid carried out by Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval  Command with the assistance of Fisheries Inspector-Mulativu and Kokilai Police.  Accordingly, six dinghies and 4 banned nets were taken into naval custody and  the suspects along with the nabbed items were handed over to Fisheries Inspector-Mulathivu for onward legal action.

Further on 17th of July, Six (06) persons who engaged in illegal fishing in Pulmudai sea area had been nabbed by a Naval troop attached to the  Eastern Naval Command. Along with the persons a dinghy, 64 Kg of fish catchment and a banned net were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons, dinghy, banned net and the fish catchment were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector- Kuchchaweli (South) for legal action.

A troop of naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command, apprehended 14 persons who engaged in illegal fishing without fishing passes in the lagoon area off SLNS Welusumana, on 17th July. 210 nos. of sea cucumber, a dinghy and a small Wallam were taken into Naval custody and those, along with the suspects were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Jaffna for onward legal action.

On last 18^th July, 18 persons who engaged in illegal fishing in Alaswatta sea area were apprehended by a troop of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command. 25  Kg of fish caught by them, 3 dinghies and 4 banned nets were also taken into naval custody. The suspects along with the fish catchment and other fishing gears were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries- Trincomalee for legal action.

A troop of Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command on foot patrol in lagoon area Batticoloa recovered fifty (50) banned nets on last 18^th  July and they were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Batticaloa for necessary legal action.

Meanwhile, a Naval troop attached to Northern  Naval Command, apprehended two persons who engaged in illegal fishing with explosive on Gurunagar jetty, on last 19^th  July. Two banned nets, a dinghy and 22 Kg of fish possessed by them were also taken into naval custody and they were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries-Jaffna for onward legal action.