Navy apprehends 03 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber in northern waters

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 03 persons for illegal harvesting of sea cucumber, during a special operation conducted off Nagar Kovil in Jaffna on 27th September 2023. The operation also led to the seizure of 250 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, diving gear and a dinghy.

The Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island in order to suppress illegal fishing activities performed by people with scant regard towards responsible fishing practices. As a continuation of these efforts, Navy Marines attached to the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command carried out this special operation off Nagar Kovil and searched a suspicious dinghy in the sea area on 27th September. The search led to the apprehension of 03 individuals engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumber. The Navy also held 250 sea cucumbers, diving gear and the dinghy used for this illegal act.

The individuals held during this operation are residents of Mannar, from 27 to 46 years of age. Meanwhile, the suspects along with their belongings and the stock of sea cucumber were handed over to the Jaffna Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department office for onward legal action.