Thirteen (13) persons engaged in illegal fishing in Trincomalee held by Navy

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 13 persons for engaging in illegal fishing activities, during search operations conducted in the Kokkadi beach area and sea area off Foul Point on 14th and 15th September 2023. During those separate operations, the Navy also took hold of 02 dinghies and unauthorized fishing equipment used for the illegal fishing practices.

The Navy remains ever alert and conducts regular operations to prevent illegal fishing activities being carried out in the beach and sea areas belonging to the island. In continuation of these efforts, SLNS Parakumba in the Eastern Naval Command carried out a search operation in the beach area of Kokkadi on 14th September and apprehended 08 individuals for engaging in fishing with unauthorized fishing gear. During the operation, the Navy also took into custody a dinghy (01) and unauthorized fishing gear used by the accused.

Meanwhile, SLN Dockyard this morning (15th September) apprehended 05 more persons for practicing light-coarse fishing and using banned fishing nets to catch fish off the Foul Point, Trincomalee. The operation also led to the seizure of a dinghy (01) and unauthorized fishing gear used for these illegal acts.

The apprehended individuals have been identified as residents of Illankanthi and Kinniya in Trincomalee, from 22 to 49 years of age. Those persons along with their belongings were handed over to the Trincomalee and Cod Bay Fisheries Inspectors for onward legal action.