Three (03) persons apprehended with stock of illegally harvested sea cucumber

The Navy apprehended three (03) persons for illegally harvesting sea cucumber in seas south of the Mandativu Island in Jaffna on 05^th January 2020.

The Navy has been conducting operations in waters around the island to prevent depletion of fish and ocean resources. During a similar sea patrol conducted in the sea area south of the Mandativu Island, Jaffna, the Navy spotted a suspicious vessel and when the vessel was further searched there were 13kg of sea cucumber. During further investigation carried out, it was revealed that the persons had engaged in harvesting of sea cucumber without valid licence. Accordingly, the suspects were taken into custody and a trawler, a fishing net, 34kg of illegally caught fish and 13kg of sea cucumber were also seized.

The apprehended persons have been identified as residents of Jaffna, aged 22, 36 and 47. The accused along with seized items belonging to them were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Jaffna for onward investigation.