Navy apprehends 07 persons for engaging in illegal fishing in northern waters

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 07 persons who were using unauthorized nets to catch fish, during a search operation conducted in Kadeikadu sea area of Jaffna in the dark hours of 01st September 2023. The operation also led to the seizure of 02 dinghies and illegal fishing gear used for this illegal act.

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. As an extension of these efforts, the Naval Detachment Chundikulam belonging to the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command carried out this search operation in Kadeikadu sea area on 01st September and nabbed 07 persons for fishing with unauthorized nets. The Navy also held 02 dinghies and unauthorized fishing equipment used by those persons to catch fish.

The persons held in this operation were identified as residents of Mulliyan in Jaffna, from 21 to 38 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.