Navy apprehends seven persons engaged in catching sea cucumber without permit

Navy held seven (07) persons who engaged in illegal catching of sea cucumber , during a patrol carried out at the Vankalai beach area in Mannar on 21^st December 2019.

Keeping with Sri Lanka Navy’s efforts to restrain illegal fishing in the country’s territorial waters, a raid was carried out aiming Vankalai beach area in Mannar. During the raid, three suspicious dingies were observed and by the search of dingies 984 Nos of sea cucumber were discovered.

Seven suspects along with 3 dingies, 3 OBMs and 984 sea cucumber were taken into Naval custody. The suspects have been identified as residents of Vankalai areas aged 25 to 40.

The apprehended persons along with the dinghies, OBMs, stock of sea cucumber and other fishing gears were handed over to the Inspector of Fisheries-Mannar for further investigation.