Navy apprehends 03 persons for illegal transportation of sea cucumber in Mannar seas

The Sri Lanka Navy on 29th February 2024 apprehended 03 persons for illegal transportation of sea cucumber in Walaipadu sea area of Mannar, without valid license. The search operation also led to the seizure of a dinghy and 3070 sea cucumbers loaded in it.

The Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas of the island in order to suppress illegal fishing activities performed by people with scant regard towards responsible fishing practices.

In continuation of these efforts, a team of Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) personnel attached to SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command mounted this operation, deploying a Cedric Boat off Walaipadu. During the operation, RABS personnel intercepted a suspicious dinghy and recovered about 3070 sea cucumbers being transported without valid license. Accordingly, the 03 persons aboard together with the dinghy and sea cucumbers were taken into naval custody.

The suspects held in this operation were identified as residents of Nachchikuda, and are between 28 to 30 years of age. Those 03 suspects together with sea cucumbers and the dinghy were handed over to the Kilinochchi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.