The Navy apprehended 03 persons along with a dinghy, while transferring illegally harvested sea cucumber without valid licence, in the sea area about 03 nautical miles (about 05km) off Point Pedro on 13^th August 2020.

As part of regular operations being conducted by the Navy for prevention of wide-ranging illegal fishing practices in island’s territorial waters, the Northern Naval Command managed to seize this dinghy which was transferring 4010 bêche-de-mer, popularly known as sea cucumbers, harvested without valid license. The operation also led to apprehend 03 persons involved in this illegal act and seizure of several other fishing gear.

Meanwhile, the three suspects who are 19, 21 and 23 years of age, together with seized items, were handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Jaffna for onward investigation.