Ninety five (95) persons nabbed for engaging in illegal fishing

During operations conducted by the Navy in Eastern, Southeastern, Northwestern, Northern and North Central Naval Commands from 01st to 31st August 2021, ninety five (95) individuals have been apprehended, while they were engaging in illegal fishing practices. These operations also made way to seize 29 fishing boats and several other fishing accessories used for the illegal practices.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular operations in island waters and coastal regions with a view to preventing harmful repercussions on marine ecosystem due to illegal fishing methods. Accordingly, these individuals and their fishing accessories were held on the charges of fishing without valid license, using unauthorized fishing nets, engaging in night diving without license to catch fish, illegal harvesting of sea cucumber by diving, practicing light-coarse fishing and explosive fishing.

The accused held in these separate operations are residents of Kinniya, Echchalampaththu, Muthur, Lankapatuna, Nilaveli, Illuppukadawai, Trincomalee, Mannar, Pooneryn, Kalkuda, Valaithottam, Valaichchenai, Kalmunai, Kiranchi, Settiparayalam, Kovilkuduirippu and Kuchchaveli, from 18 to 59 years of age.

The operations were conducted adhering to the COVID-19 protocols in effect to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the apprehended persons together with their fishing boats and other fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Kuchchaveli, Thaulpadu, Kilinochchi, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Verugal, Trincomalee, Mannar and Vakarai and Police Stations of Jayapuram and Kuchchaveli for onward legal action.