Navy nabs three persons for engaging in illegal fishing

Naval personnel nabbed three (03) persons for engaging in illegal fishing in the seas off Kattankudy, Batticoloa on 27^th June 2019.

A group of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command, during a routine patrol, held these 03 persons who engaged in fishing using iron sticks with sharpen points. By further search, 3 fish which belongs to a rare species under the threat of extinction and even included into the red list, were also found among the fish caught by them.

The apprehended persons have been identified as resident of Kattankudy and Mathara areas, aged between 42 to 54. Along with the suspects 01 dinghy, 01 outboard motor (OBM) and 65 kg of fish catch were taken into naval custody. The suspects together with the seized dinghy, OBM and fish catch were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries (ADF) in Batticoloa for onward action.

Sri Lanka Navy carries out constant patrols in order to protect the maritime resources and to ward off the illegal activities in the sea.