Navy apprehends 16 persons for engaging in illegal fishing in northern waters

Special operations conducted by the Navy off Kadaikadu, Nagar Kovil and Chundikulam in Jaffna on 16th and 17th July 2023, led to the apprehension of 16 persons who were engaging in illegal fishing activities. During these operations, the Navy also held 04 dinghies, diving equipment and fishing gear used for these illegal acts.

The Navy carries out regular operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island, with a view to prevent illegal fishing practices which threaten the sustainability of fish populations, undermine legitimate fishing industries, and damage marine ecosystems.

As an extension of these efforts, the Naval Detachments Veththalakerni, Mamunai and Chundikulam belonging to the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command made these apprehensions off Kadaikadu, Nagar Kovil and Chundikulam on 16th and 17th July. Accordingly, the Navy nabbed 16 individuals on charges of night diving without valid licence, using unauthorized nets, and light coarse fishing. The operations also led to the seizure of 04 dinghies, diving equipment and unauthorized fishing gear used by the individuals.

The persons held in these operations were identified as residents of China Bay, Trincomalee, Nagar Kovil, Vavuniya, Pudukuduirippu, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Pudumathalan areas, from 16 to 58 years of age. The apprehended persons together with their belongings were handed over to the Office of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department in Jaffna for onward legal action.