Ninety six individuals held for engaging in illegal fishing

Navy held ninety six (96) individuals for engaging in illegal fishing, during operations conducted in the in Eastern, Southeastern and North Central Naval Commands from last month (September) alone, Navy said. These operations also made way to seize 28 fishing vessels and several other fishing accessories used for the illegal practices.

Accordingly, these individuals and their fishing accessories were held on the charges of fishing without valid license, using unauthorized fishing nets, engaging in night diving without license to harvest sea cucumber and practicing light-coarse fishing.

The accused held in these separate operations are residents of Thirikkovil, Kinniya, Muthur, Walaipadu, Kiranchi, Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee, Lankapatuna, Kallady, Nilaveli, Sambaltivu, Akkareipaththu, Mannar, Kokilai, Periyapadu, Thennanthivu, and Chilaw, from 19 to 68 years of age.

The operations were conducted adhering to the COVID-19 protocols in effect to prevent the spread of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the apprehended persons together with their fishing boats and other fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Kuchchaveli, Kinniya, Kilinochchi, Palamunai, Trincomalee, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Police Station of Thirukkovil for onward legal action.