Twenty-six apprehended for engaging in illegal fishing

Sri Lanka NavyIn the Eastern Naval Command, multiple operations conducted by SLNS Gotabaya with the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Mullaitivu in Nandikadal Lagoon on 28 Feb, SLNS Mahaweli in the sea area of Back Bay on 03 Mar, SLNS Kashyapa and the Office of Fisheries Inspector, Manmunai-North in Batticaloa Lagoon on 05 Mar, SLNS Vijayaba in Erakkandi on 06 Mar and SLNS Lankapatuna in the Lankapatuna sea area on 09 Mar resulted in the apprehension of persons along with dinghies and fishing gear.

In the same vein, in the Northern Naval Command, separate operations mounted by the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Veththalakerni area on 04 Mar, SLNS Welusumana at the Kudiramalei Point on 08 Mar as well as SLNS Gajaba under the North Central Naval Command, alongside the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries of Mannar, in the township of Mannar on 08 Mar led to the apprehension of individuals with dinghies and cabs, for their involvement in illegal fishing.

The persons held in these operations along with the fishing gear, vehicles and dinghies were handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Trincomalee, Cod Bay, Manmunai North, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Echchalampaththu, Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mullaitivu and the Office of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Thalayadi for onward legal action