Twenty-six (26) persons apprehended for engaging in illegal fishing

In a series of coordinated search operations conducted by the Navy from 28 Feb to 09 Mar 25, twenty-six (26) individuals involved in various illegal fishing activities were apprehended. The individuals were caught engaging in practices such as illegal night diving, illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers, and the use of explosives for fishing. The operations spanned multiple locations, including Nandikadal Lagoon, Back Bay, Manmunai, Erakkandi, Veththalakerni, Batticaloa Lagoon, Mannar, Kudiramalei Point, and Kinniya. During the raids, authorities confiscated illegal fishing gear, including 233 trap nets, 12 trammel nets, 11 monofilament nets, and 2,130 sea cucumbers, as well as 02 cabs and 04 dinghies.

In the Eastern Naval Command, multiple operations conducted by SLNS Gotabaya with the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Mullaitivu in Nandikadal Lagoon on 28 Feb, SLNS Mahaweli in the sea area of Back Bay on 03 Mar, SLNS Kashyapa and the Office of Fisheries Inspector, Manmunai-North in Batticaloa Lagoon on 05 Mar, SLNS Vijayaba in Erakkandi on 06 Mar and SLNS Lankapatuna in the Lankapatuna sea area on 09 Mar resulted in the apprehension of persons along with dinghies and fishing gear.

In the same vein, in the Northern Naval Command, separate operations mounted by the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Veththalakerni area on 04 Mar, SLNS Welusumana at the Kudiramalei Point on 08 Mar as well as SLNS Gajaba under the North Central Naval Command, alongside the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries of Mannar, in the township of Mannar on 08 Mar led to the apprehension of individuals with dinghies and cabs, for their involvement in illegal fishing.

The persons held in these operations along with the fishing gear, vehicles and dinghies were handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Trincomalee, Cod Bay, Manmunai North, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Echchalampaththu, Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mullaitivu and the Office of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Thalayadi for onward legal action.