Navy nabs twenty five (25) individuals during naval operations
Operations conducted by the Navy during the last week in Eastern, Northern, North Central, Northwestern and Southern Naval Areas led to the apprehension of 25 individuals who were engaging in illegal fishing and other unlawful acts in different parts of the island.
The Eastern Naval Command, during operations conducted in the sea areas off Kallady and Wakare, general area of Erakkandi and at Cod Bay fishery harbour on 21st and 22nd October 2020, managed to apprehend 19 persons for engaging in fishing with unauthorized fishing nets and possession of shark fins. Along with the suspects 06 fishing vessels including a multiday fishing trawler, 05 unauthorized nets and several other fishing accessories were also held by the Navy.
Further, the Northern Naval Command nabbed a suspect (01) for illegal possession of 2693 conch shells, hidden in a house, during a search operation carried out at the Eluvaitivu Island on 23rd October 2020. In another operation carried out in Talpadu of Mannar on the same day, the North Central Naval Command was able to apprehend another suspect (01) for illegal transfer of 70kg and 600g of dried sea cucumber by a three wheeler. The Navy also seized the three wheeler used for this unlawful activity.
During a special operation conducted at Kirimundalama in Kalpitiya on 21st October 2020, the Northwestern Naval Command intercepted a suspicious lorry and apprehended 02 suspects who were transferring 28 sacks containing shark fins. Meanwhile, the Navy also held the lorry used by the suspects for this illegal act.
In another development, the Southern Naval Command in coordination with the Fisheries Inspector of Kalametiya collared 02 persons for using an unauthorized net to catch fish off Kalametiya fishery harbour on 22nd October 2020. Along with the 02 persons a dinghy an unauthorized net were also detained by the Navy during this operation.
The apprehended persons in connection to these unlawful acts were identified as residents of Kinniya, Kathiraweli, Wakare, Lankapatuna, Eluvaitivu, Erukkulampiddi, Kalpitiya, Sinnapadu and Hungama areas, aged from 27 to 53. The apprehended persons, fishing vessels, unauthorized nets, lorry and three wheeler were handed over to the Assistant Directors of Fisheries in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Mannar as well as Fisheries Inspectors of Muthur, Kayts, Puttalam and Tangalle for onward investigations. Meanwhile, all these operations were carried out in compliance with strict health and safety guidelines declared for the prevention of COVID – 19 pandemic situation.
