Navy apprehends 14 persons for engaging in illegal fishing with unauthorized nets

The Navy, during a patrol in the sea area of Salpeyaru on 16^th July 2020, apprehended 14 persons who engaged in illegal fishing with unauthorized nets. Along with these 14 persons 03 dinghies were also seized by the Navy.

As illegal fishing practices often cause grave damages on marine habitats that support marine life, the Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular patrols in prevention of such activities. During a similar patrol conducted in the sea area of Salpeyaru, a group of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command had spotted a couple of dinghies and searched them on suspicion. Accordingly, the Navy managed to apprehend these 14 individuals who engaged in fishing by means of unauthorized nets.

The apprehended persons who are from 17 to 38 years of age were identified as residents of Kuchchaveli, Poduwakattu and Jayanagr areas. Meanwhile, the accused together with seized items were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Kuchchaveli for onward investigation.