The Navy nabbed 17 individuals, together with 07 dinghies, for partaking in unlawful fishing actions, throughout separate operations carried out within the sea areas of Kaddaikadu in Kilinochchi, Upparu in Muthur in addition to the Nayaru Lagoon and Pudumathalan sea space in Mullaitivu on seventeenth and 18th April 2024.
The people concerned have been caught by the Navy, while they have been partaking in night time diving, utilizing unauthorized nets for fishing, and collaborating in gentle course fishing.
The Sri Lanka Navy stays vigilant and conducts operations to fight unlawful fishing in its sea and coastal areas, with a view to supporting authorized fishing actions.
As a part of ongoing initiatives, Naval Deployment Veththalakerni, working inside the Northern Naval Command, apprehended 03 people and seized 01 dinghy throughout a search operation within the Kaddaikadu sea space on seventeenth April. These people have been partaking in night time diving actions by unlawful means, when the apprehension was made.
In one other search operation, SLNS Parakumba of the Jap Naval Command intercepted a dinghy within the Upparu sea space on 18th April, capturing 07 people and confiscating the dinghy for using unauthorized fishing gear.
Furthermore, SLNS Gotabaya within the Jap Naval Command intercepted 05 extra dinghies, throughout a search operation carried out within the Nayaru Lagoon and Pudumathalan sea space on 18th April. The operation led to the apprehension of 07 people for partaking in gentle course fishing.
The suspects held in these operations have been recognized as residents of Muthur, Mannar, Pulmoddai, Sandalankawa, Pudumathalan and Mullivaikkal areas, who’re from 22 to 43 years of age.
The 03 suspects and the dinghy held within the Kaddaikadu sea space have been handed over to the Division of Fisheries and Aquatic Sources – Jaffna for onward authorized motion. Additional, the 07 people and the dinghy held in Upparu have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Muthur for authorized proceedings.
In the meantime, the 07 individuals and 05 dinghies apprehended in Nayaru have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mullaitivu for onward authorized motion