Navy apprehends 15 persons for engaging in illegal fishing in northern and eastern waters

Special operations conducted by the Navy off Lankapatuna, Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee and Chalai sea areas on 25th and 26th August 2023, led to the apprehension of 15 persons who were using unauthorized fishing nets to catch fish and engaging in light-coarse fishing. During these operations, the Navy also held 06 dinghies and unauthorized 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 establishments of Naval Dockyard and SLNS Lankapatuna in the Eastern Naval Command carried out search operations off Lankapatuna and Trincomalee on 25th August. In the same vein, SLNS Walagamba mounted a search operation off Kuchchaveli and Naval Detachment Veththalakerniv off Chalai, Jaffna on 26th August. The operations led to the apprehension of 15 persons for using unauthorized fishing nets to catch fish and engaging in light-coarse fishing. In these separate operations, the Navy also held 05 dinghies and unauthorized fishing equipment.

The persons held in these operations were identified as residents of Trincomalee, Echchalampaththu, Kuchchaveli and Pudukuduirippu, from 17 to 38 years of age. The apprehended persons together with their belongings were handed over to the Trincomalee, Cod Bay, Kuchchaveli and Jaffna Fisheries Inspectors for onward legal action.