Navy apprehends 11 persons engaged in fishing blasting explosive

Navy apprehended 11 persons who engaged in illegal fishing blasting explosive, at Soodikuda area in Trincomalee, on 11^th October 2019.

Accordingly, Eastern Naval Command apprehended 11 persons with 1354kg of fish caught by blasting explosive (Dynamite), during a raid carried out at Soodikuda area. The suspects who are in the ages between 27-36,residents of Muttur, were apprehended while attempting to load the illegal fish catch to a cab. Two dinghies and two OBMs used for illegal fishing were also taken into Naval custody.

The suspects along with the fish stock, the cab, two dinghies and two OBMs were handed over to the office of the Fisheries Inspector-Muttur.

This illegal fishing practice is extremely destructive to the surrounding ecosystem, as the explosion often destroys the underlying habitat that supports the fish. As such, Sri Lanka Navy is conducting continuous operations in waters around the island and remains vigilant to curb such illegal acts at all times.