Navy apprehends 15 persons for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 15 persons for engaging in illegal fishing, during patrols conducted in the sea areas off the Trincomalee harbour, northwest of the Norway Island and near the Elizabeth Island in Trincomalee on 04^th July 2020.

As illegal fishing practices often causes grave damages on marine habitats that support marine life, the Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular patrols in prevention of such activities. During similar patrols conducted in the sea areas off the Trincomalee harbour, northwest of the Norway Island and near the Elizabeth Island in Trincomalee, naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command had searched 02 suspicious dinghies. Accordingly, the naval personnel nabbed 09 persons engaged in fishing without valid passes and another 06 persons for using unauthorized nets to catch fish. Along with these persons a 225m long unauthorized fishing net, 02 dinghies, 02 outboard motors, 126kg of illegally caught fish and several other fishing gear were taken into naval custody.

The apprehended persons were identified as residents of Kinniya area. Meanwhile, the accused along with the seized items were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Trincomalee and Fisheries Inspector of Kinniya for onward investigation.