Navy assists to apprehend 35 persons for engaging in illegal acts
 

Sri Lanka Navy assisted to apprehend 35 persons engaged in illegal acts at various locations in the island during the past few days. These suspects were held for engaging in illegal fishing, using explosive for fishing and fishing without passes.

Accordingly, a troop of Naval personnel attached to the Southern Naval Command apprehended four persons (04) who engaged in illegal fishing activities in the seas 2.5 nautical miles off Hikkaduwa on last 9^th December. A Wallam (traditional boat), a banned net and other fishing gears were also nabbed and they along with the suspects were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector-Galle for legal proceedings.

Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command apprehended 06 persons who engaged in illegal fishing activities in the seas off Trincomalee area, 10^th December. Two dinghies, two banned nets and other fishing gears were also taken into Naval custody and the suspects along with the fishing gears handed over to Harbour Police-Trincomalee for onward action.

On 11^th of December, two (02) persons who were transferring turtles were apprehended at Kalmunai Point area by Naval troops attached to the Northern Naval Command. Along with the persons two live turtles, 50 kgs of Orawa fish, small Wallam and a banned net were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons, two turtles, stock of fish and banned nets were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Jaffna.

On the same day, on information received to the Navy Naval personnel attached to the Northern Naval Command, in coordination with Police STF Jaffna, recovered three (03) turtles kept secretly in a shrub area closer to Gunagar fish market. The recovered turtles were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Jaffna for onward legal action.

Meanwhile, a Naval troop attached to North Western Naval Command, apprehended a person who possessed a fake fishing pass, at Kareithivu sea area on last 12^th December. A fish catch of 374 kgs and a dinghy possessed by him were taken into naval custody and they were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Puttalam for onward legal action.

A drifting boat which had been used for fishing with explosive at Upparu area was apprehended by a troop of Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command, on 13^th December. Hundred and seventy one (171) kgs of caught fish and fishing gears were taken into Naval custody and they, along with the suspect was handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Trincomalee for legal proceedings.

Four persons who were engaging in illegal fishing at Rodapadu sea area were apprehended by a troop of Naval personnel attached to North Western Naval Command, on 13^th December. 252 kgs of caught fish, a banned net and two dinghies were also taken into naval custody and they were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Puttalam for legal action.

Naval personnel attached to North Western Naval Command nabbed 18 persons who engaged in fishing without fishing passes, at Uchchemuni sea area on 13^th December. Six dinghies, 8 banned nets, 115 kgs of caught fish and other fishing gears were also apprehended by the Navy and they along with the suspects were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Puttalam for further action.

A troop of Naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command on foot patrol in lagoon area Batticoloa recovered thirty nine (39) banned nets and two canoes on last 8^th , 10^th and 13^th December and they were handed over to Assistant Director of Fisheries-Batticaloa for necessary legal action.