Sri Lanka Navy arrests 76 individuals involved in illegal fishing

Issuing a statement, the Navy announced that these individuals were apprehended during operations carried out over the past two weeks. covering the country’s territorial waters.

Accordingly, the operations were conducted by the Northern and Eastern Naval Commands across coastal and maritime areas including Jaffna, Kadeikadu, Pudumathalan, Trincomalee Kalladichenai, Adukkupadu, Kodbay, Poduwakattu, Kuchchaveli, Salpeyaru, and Palamunmadu in Batticaloa.

These suspects were taken into custody for engaging in illegal fishing practices such as using banned fishing nets, electric light currents, and for fishing at night in contravention of regulations, which led to the capturing of marine resources using destructive methods.

Additionally, along with the 20 dinghy boats, 17 banned fishing nets were also seized by the Navy.

The suspects, the banned fishing gear, and the vessels taken into custody have been handed over to the respective Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Ichchalampattu, Mullaitivu, Kuchchaveli, Kodbay, and Batticaloa for further legal action.