SLN apprehends 442 persons for engaging in illegal fishing
July 03, 2021The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) apprehended 442 persons along with 153 fishing boats and other fishing accessories while engaging in illegal fishing practices recently.
SLN’s Eastern, Southeastern, Northwestern, Northern and North Central Naval Commands have conducted the operations from 01 Apr to 30 Jun.
According to the SLN sources, the suspects were engaging in fishing without valid passes, using unauthorized fishing nets, engaging in night diving to catch fish, practicing light-coarse fishing, engaging in diving to harvest sea cucumber and fishing in restricted sea areas.
The suspects were identified as residents of Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, Talaimannar, Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kegalle and Matara aged between 16 and 60, the SLN said.
Items seized were handed over to Fisheries Inspectors of Kalmunai, Pottuvil, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu, Kalpitiya, Talaimannar, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Kuchchaveli, Nilaveli, Jaffna, Point Pedro, Karainagar and Puttalam and Harbour Police of Adappan and Trincomalee for onward legal action, the SLN also said.
The entire operations were conducted adhering to healthcare guidelines, the SLN confirmed.
