Navy apprehends 04 persons engaged in fishing without valid permit

The Navy apprehended 04 persons who were engaging in illegal fishing without a valid permit, in the seas off Trincomalee harbour on 17^th April 2020.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular operations to curb illegal fishing practices performed by a handful of people giving scant regard on its repercussions. During a similar operation, a craft attached to the Eastern Naval Command had detected a suspicious dinghy while patrolling in the seas off Trincomalee harbour. Subsequently, naval personnel apprehended 04 persons who were diving in the sea to catch fish, without a valid permit to do so. Along with the 04 suspects a dinghy, diving gear and 44kg of illegally caught fish were also taken into naval custody.

The accused were identified as residents of Trincomalee area, from 27 to 43 years of age. Meanwhile, the suspects along with the items and illegally caught fish were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries of Trincomalee through the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.