Navy apprehends 04 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber

The Navy apprehended 04 persons who were illegally harvesting sea cucumber in the sea area off Allaipiddy, Jaffna today (19^th February 2020).

The Navy has been conducting regular operations in Island’s waters for the preservation of the fishery and aquatic resource belonging to the country. During a similar operation conducted by Northern Naval Command in the sea area off Allaipiddy, Jaffna, the Navy managed to take these 04 suspects into custody for engaging in diving to illegally harvest sea cucumber. Along with the suspects 1,795 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, a dinghy and a few diving gear were seized by the Navy.

The apprehended persons have been identified as residents of the same area, from 19 to 30 years of age. The suspects together with sea cucumber, the dinghy and other diving gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Jaffna for onward investigation.