Navy apprehends 04 persons engaged in illegal fishing in eastern waters

The Navy apprehended 04 fishermen, along with 04 dinghies and fishing gear, while they were engaging in fishing using unauthorized nets in the lagoon of Kokilai and Jinnapuram sea area on 15th June 2023. The apprehension was made during a dedicated operation carried out by the Navy to prevent illegal fishing practices.

To safeguard the marine ecosystem from the negative impacts of unlawful fishing practices, the Navy is carrying out continuous operations in the coastal and sea areas surrounding the island. As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Gotabaya and SLNS Ranweli in the Eastern Naval Command conducted this special operation in the Kokilai lagoon and Jinnapuram sea area, deploying craft belonging to the Naval Detachment Nayaru. The operation led to the apprehension of 04 fishermen who were engaging in fishing with unauthorized nets. Accordingly, the fishermen, 04 dinghies and their fishing equipment were taken into naval custody.

Meanwhile, the Navy fired one warning shot in the sky, in order to control the fishermen in Jinnapuram area who behaved violently during the naval operation. Further, a person on the scene was held and handed over to the Pulmoddai Police by the Navy, for his aggressive behaviour.

The persons held in the operation were identified as residents of Periyapadu, Kokilai and Pulmoddai areas, aged from 24 to 45. The 04 individuals along with their dinghies and fishing gear were handed over to the Kuchchaveli Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.