27 persons engaged in illegal fishing held during separate operations

During separate search operations conducted in the sea areas off Koneshwaram and Chapel Point in Trincomalee on 27th July 2024, the Navy and Coast Guard apprehended 27 persons for their involvement in illegal fishing activities. These operations also led to the confiscation of 05 dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear.

The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard maintain a vigilant stance, actively engaging in operations to combat illegal fishing within its sea and coastal regions. This initiative aims to endorse and support legal fishing activities.

As an extension of these efforts, the Sri Lanka Naval Dockyard in the Eastern Naval Command apprehended 17 individuals, along with 03 dinghies and unauthorized gear, for fishing using unauthorized nets in the sea area of Koneshwaram on 27th July.

In addition, SLNS Mahaweli in the Eastern Naval Command with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard apprehended 10 more persons for their involvement in illegal fishing in the sea area of Chapel Point. Two (02) dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear employed for this illegal act were also taken into custody during the search operation.

The persons held in these separate operations were identified as residents of Kinniya, Nilaveli, Trincomalee, Muthur and Sampoor areas, who are from 17 to 71 years of age. The accused, together with dinghies and unauthorized fishing gear, held in these operations were handed over to the Acting Fisheries Inspector of Cod Bay for onward legal action.