Navy holds two persons for engaging in illegal fishing

SL Navy held two (02) persons who engaged in fishing using illegal lights during two operations carried out in the seas south of Nayaru in Mulativu and in the seas off Pudumathalan beach on 09^th July 2020.

SL Navy is conducting frequent operations in the seas around the island to avert the destruction of marine resources caused by the illegal means of fishing. In a similar operation carried out by Naval personnel of Eastern Naval Command, these two persons who used illegal lights for fishing were apprehended in the seas south of Nayaru in Mulativu. Meanwhile, during another patrol conducted in the seas off Pudumathalan beach, the Navy seized an abandoned dinghy which was used for fishing using illegal lights with other fishing gear used by illegal fishers.

The apprehended suspects, dinghies, OBMs, LED bulbs and other fishing gear used by them were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries-Mulativu. Further, the marine resources around the island is destroyed by the illegal means such as banned nets, explosive used by a limited number of fisher folk and Navy is vigilant to protect the marine resources averting these illegal activities.