SLN apprehends 179 persons for engaging in illegal fishing
February 16, 2021The Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) Western, Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, North Central and Southern Naval Commands apprehended 179 persons along with 42 fishing boats, a lorry, a three-wheeler and fishing accessories, for engaging in illegal fishing from 01 Jan to 15 Feb.
According to the SLN sources, culprits were engaging in fishing without valid passes, using unauthorized fishing nets, engaging in night diving to catch fish, illegal possession of shark fins, conch shells and sea cucumbers as well as transportation of sea turtle eggs for sale.
The accused were identified as residents of Mannar, Pallekuda, Pooneryn, Chunnagam, Vankalai, Nachchikuda, Bogaswewa, Vedithalativu, Arippu, Uppuweli, Sallisambaltivu, Kalpitiya, Negombo, Kandakkuliya, Kudawa, Puttalam, Norochcholai, Vennappuwa, Wadduwa, Dikwella, Gandara, Iranawila, Ja-Ela, Alawwa, Hambantota and Jaffna areas, from 19 to 67 years of age, the SLN said.
Items seized were handed over to Fisheries Inspectors of Trincomalee, Mannar, Pesalai, Silawathura, Kalpitiya, Puttalam, Hambantota, Kilinochchi and Jaffna, Police Stations in Pettah and Dikwella and National Aquaculture Development Authority in Padaviya for onward investigations, the SLN also said.
The entire operations were conducted adhering to healthcare guidelines, the SLN confirmed.
