Navy apprehends 12 persons engaged in illegal fishing

The Navy apprehended 12 individuals on 07th and 08th July 2023 off Chalei and Chundikulam in Jaffna and Illuppukadawai in Mannar, while they were engaging in illegal fishing activities. During these special operations, the Navy also held 1870 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, unauthorized fishing gear and 04 dinghies used for these illegal acts.

The Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island in order to suppress illegal fishing activities performed by people. As an extension of these efforts, the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command carried out special operations in the dark hours of 07th July and nabbed 09 persons along with unauthorized fishing gear and 03 dinghies, whilst engaging in light-coarse fishing off Chalei and Chundikulam.

In addition, SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command apprehended 03 individuals for fishing without valid passes off Illuppukadawai on the evening of 08th July. During this operation, the Navy also held 1870 illegally harvested sea cucumbers and a dinghy which was used for the illegal act.

The apprehended persons, ranging in age from 23 to 58, were from the areas of Dharmapuram, Vallipuram, Chilaw, Mailavapuram, Kallaru, Thalayadi and Walaipadu. Following the apprehensions, the Navy handed over the suspects, their belongings, and the illegally harvested sea cucumbers to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Jaffna and Mannar Assistant Directorate of Fisheries for onward legal action.