Navy apprehends 53 persons for engaging in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 53 persons for engaging in illegal fishing, during separate operations carried out in Achchanakulam of Mannar, Pungudutivu of Jaffna, Narivilkulam of Mannar, seas off the Palaitivu Island, Kalmunai Point and northeast of the island from 09th to 15th February 2022. Along with the suspects, 13 dinghies, 01 fishing trawler, fishing gear, illegally caught fish, sea cucumber and conch shells were taken into naval custody.

The Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas of the country to prevent illegal fishing practices. As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Pussadewa in the North Central Naval Command nabbed 03 persons who were catching ornamental fish without licence in Achchanakulam sea area in Mannar on 09th February. The search operation also led to the seizure of about 325 ornamental fish, a dinghy as well as diving and fishing gear used for this illegal act.

Meanwhile, SLNS Gotaimbara in the Northern Naval Command apprehended a person (01) for illegally harvesting sea cucumber without valid licence off Punkudutivu in Jaffna, during a special search carried out on 10th February. The Navy also took into custody about 119 illegally harvested sea cucumbers and a dinghy (01) in this search operation.

On 11th February, SLNS Pussadewa Pussadewa in the North Central Naval Command apprehended 08 individuals for harvesting sea cucumber illegally off Narivilkulam, Mannar on 11th February. The special search operation also led to the apprehension of about 78 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, a dinghy (01) as well as fishing and diving equipment.

In another two separate search operations mounted off the Palaitivu Island in Jaffna on 13th February, SLNS Kanchadewa in the Northern Naval Command apprehended 06 persons who were harvesting sea cucumber by illegal means. The naval personnel engaged in these operations also held about 163 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, 57 conch shells, 02 dinghies, diving gear and fishing equipment.

Meanwhile, SLNS Welusumana in the Northern Naval Command carried out a special search operation off the Kalmunai Point, Jaffna on 14th February and apprehended 24 individuals for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber. During the operation, about 509 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, 03 dinghies, 01 fishing trawler, diving gear and fishing equipment were also taken into naval custody.

In addition, the Naval Deployment Vettalakeni in the Northern Naval Command conducted special search operations in the sea area northeast of the island on 14th and 15th February and apprehended 11 persons for engaging in fishing by means of unauthorized fishing gear. The operation also led to the seizure of 05 dinghies and fishing gear used for this illegal act.

The suspects apprehended in these operations along with illegally caught fish, sea cucumber and conch shells as well as their fishing and diving gear were handed over to fisheries inspectors in respective areas for onward legal action.