Navy apprehends 12 persons engaged in illegal fishing

The naval operations conducted in Northern, Eastern and Northwestern Naval Areas within the last week, resulted in apprehension of 12 persons who engaged in illegal fishing, along with their fishing gear.

These separate operations were carried out at the beach near the Pallikuda Coastal Observation Point, in the seas off Chenmalai, Mullathivu, at Kotuwemada in Batticaloa and in sea area of Arrippu, Mannar. During the operations, 12 persons along with 07 fishing vessels, unauthorized fishing nets and other fishing gear were apprehended, for engaging in fishing with banned nets and light coarse fishing.

The suspects have been identified as residents of Pooneryn, Madurankuliya, Mulathivu and Kalpitiya areas aged between 19-58.The apprehended persons in respective areas with seized items were handed over to the Assistant Directors of Fisheries in Mullathivu and Batticaloa and Fisheries Inspectors in Pooneryn and Mannar.