Seventeen (17) persons held for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 17 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber and using unauthorized nets to catch fish. The apprehension was made during a patrol in the sea area west of Padaithurai, Mannar on 14th April 2020.

As part of another mission carried out by the Navy for the protection of ocean resources and apprehension of people engaging in illegal activities, naval personnel attached to the North Central Naval Command conducted this operation in the sea area west of Padaithurai. During this operation, naval personnel searched 05 suspicious dinghies and apprehended 17 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber and using unauthorized nets to catch fish. Along with the suspects, 30kg of illegally caught fish and 115 sea cucumbers were taken into naval custody.

The apprehended persons were identified as residents of Mannar, from 20 to 56 years of age. Meanwhile, the accused along with illegally caught fish, sea cucumbers and the items seized were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for onward investigation.