Navy releases turtles trapped in beach seines

The Navy managed to rescue turtles trapped in beach seines (Madal) of fishermen, along the Mannar beach line within the fast few days.

Sri Lanka Navy conducts frequent patrols to protect the marine resources dedicatedly. Accordingly, during the patrols conducted in Thalaimannar beach area, 10 turtles which had trapped in the beach seines of the fishermen engaged Madal fishing industry were rescued and released to the sea.

Further, Navy carries out daily patrols in the seas off the island and around the coastal belt while keeping vigil eye on illegal fishers and such incidents occur in the Madal fishing industry. Navy has saved the lives of large number of turtles which were caught by fishermen and trapped in the Madal fishing nets, by releasing them back to the sea.

There are seven species of sea turtles that are listed as endangered, of which five are found off the coast of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, to protect these endangered species, naval personnel are constantly working on several sea turtle conservation projects under ‘Neela Haritha Sangramaya’, a visionary concept of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva.