Navy nabs 4 individuals for illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers in Mannar seas

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended four (4) individuals along with a haul of 554 sea cucumbers during a search operation conducted in the seas off Usmukkunthurai, Mannar on 7 July 2026.

The search was carried out by SLNS Gajaba belonging to the North Central Naval Command. While patrolling the waters off Usmukkunthurai, naval personnel intercepted a suspicious dinghy and recovered the stock of sea cucumbers, illegally harvested by unauthorised night diving. Along with the catch, the Navy also seized the dinghy (1) and various diving and fishing gear.

The apprehended suspects, aged between 26 and 33, were identified as residents of the Pallemunai area in Mannar. The individuals, the stock of sea cucumbers, the dinghy and the diving equipment were subsequently handed over to the Mannar Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.