Navy apprehends nine persons engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumber

Nine (09) persons who engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumber were apprehended by Navy during a patrol carried out in the seas Muddalampiddy, Mannar on 07^th July 2020.

Sri Lanka Navy conducts constant patrols to restrain illegal fishing for preserving marine resources in the territorial waters and accordingly such an operation was carried out by naval personnel attached to the North Central Naval Command in seas off Muddalampiddy. During the raid, 06 persons who were diving for catching sea cucumber were apprehended. Further, 22 Nos. of sea cucumber caught by them, 01 dinghy, diving and fishing gear were also taken into naval custody.

The suspects, aged from 26 to 60 were identified as residents of Mannar area. They along with the dinghy, stock of sea cucumber, diving and fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector-Mannar for further investigation.