Navy holds three (03) persons with stock of illegally harvested sea cucumber

The Navy apprehended three (03) persons for illegally harvesting sea cucumber in seas off Erukkulampiddi in Mannar on 16 January 2020.

The Navy has been conducting operations in waters around the island to prevent the harm caused to fish and ocean resources. During a similar sea patrol conducted in the sea area off Erukkulampiddi in Mannar, the Navy spotted a suspicious trawler and when it was further searched, 24kg of illegally caught sea cucumber were found. Accordingly, the suspects were taken into custody with the trawler and illegally caught sea cucumber.

The apprehended persons have been identified as residents of Mannar, aged 22, 33 and 47. The accused along with seized items belonging to them were handed over to the Office of the Fisheries Inspector in Kilinochchi for onward investigation.