Two persons engaged in illegal fishing apprehended by Navy

Navy apprehended two (02) persons for engaging in illegal fishing in Silawathura beach area, on 8^th January 2020.

Continuous patrols are carried out by Navy to avert illegal fishing activities in order to preserve the marine resources in Sri Lankan territorial waters. During such an operation conducted to seize the illegal fishers a suspicious dinghy was spotted by the Navy in Silawathura beach area and it was searched. By further inquiry, it was found that they were engaging in fishing without a valid pass. Accordingly, two persons and the dinghy were apprehended. The suspects were identified as residents of Silawathura and Kalpitiya areas aged 44.

The dinghy, an outboard motor (OBM), 24 Nos of sea cucumber and 17 kg of illegally caught fish were also taken into naval custody.

The suspects together with the seized dinghy, OBM, sea cucumber, stock of illegally caught fish and fishing gears were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector-Mannar for onward action.