Navy nabs persons for illegal possession of marine resources
October 03, 2019
Sri Lanka Navy personnel during the past week apprehended several persons for the illegal possession and transport of sea cucumbers and conch shells. According to Navy media, on Wednesday (02 October) Navy troops while on patrol took three individuals having in their possession 550 sea cucumber and 04 conch shells at Chundikulam sea area. A dinghy, an OBM and some fishing gear were also taken into custody.
On Tuesday (01), Navy troops during a search conducted in Urumalei in Talaimannar apprehended a suspect for transferring 226 conch shells without valid documents.
On the same day another suspect was apprehended with 658 conch shells during a search operation conducted in coordination with the Sinnakudirippu Police.
Meanwhile, Naval personnel also held 05 persons engaged in fishing activities using unauthorized fishing nets in Senamvali in the Eastern region on Tuesday.
The arrested items along with the suspects had been handed over to fisheries authorities for further action.
According to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act the possession, buying, displaying with the intention of selling, transporting or exporting of conch shells which are less than 70 mm in diameter has been banned.
The Sri Lanka Navy is committed in its role to protect the marine life and resources of the country.