Fourteen (14) persons apprehended by Navy for engaging in illegal fishing

Naval personnel apprehended 14 persons for engaging in illegal fishing activities in the Back Bay and Upparu areas Trincomalee, on 29^th June.

A group of naval personnel attached to a craft in the Eastern Naval Command, during routine patrol, apprehended 07 persons who were practicing illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets in the Back Bay area where fishing activities have been banned. The apprehended persons who are from 23-32 years of age have been identified as residents of Erakkandi area, Trincomalee. The Navy alto took 01 dingy, 01 outboard motor, an unauthorized net and 396kg of illegally caught fish into naval custody.

Further, Seven (07) persons who engaged in illegal fishing with banned nets were apprehended by naval personnel attached to Eastern Naval Command, at Upparu area, on 29 June. The suspects are residents of Kinniya area, aged between 23-48. A dinghy, an OBM and a banned net were also arrested.

The suspects along with the seized items and the stock of fish were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries-Trincomalee, through the Sri Lanka Coast Guard for onward investigation.