Navy holds fifteen persons and two dinghies engaged in illegal fishing

Fifteen (15) persons who engaged in illegal fishing using banned nets and two dinghies were apprehended by Navy during a search operation carried out in the seas off Valalthottam area in Trincomalee, on 15^th July 2020.

SL Navy is conducting constant patrols to curb illegal practices of fishing in order to protect maritime environment. Accordingly, few suspicious dinghies were spotted and searched by a team of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command during a search operation conducted in the seas off Valalthottam area in Trincomalee. By the search, fifteen (15) persons who engaged in illegal fishing using banned nets were apprehended. Navy also seized 02 dinghies and some fishing gear.

These apprehended persons are residents of Kadiraweli and Kinniya areas, aged 19 to 56. The suspects along with dinghies, banned nets and other fishing gear were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries-Trincomalee for onward action.