89 persons held for engaging in illegal fishing practices

During operations conducted by the Eastern, Southeastern, Northwestern, Northern and North Central Naval Commands from last three days, 89 individuals were taken into custody for engaging in illegal fishing, Navy said. The operations also made way to seize 30 fishing boats and several other fishing accessories used for these illegal practices.

Accordingly, the accused were held on the charges of; fishing without a valid license, using unauthorized fishing nets, engaging in night diving without a license to catch fish, practising light-coarse fishing, illegal harvesting of sea cucumber by diving, fishing in restricted areas, explosive fishing, practicing illegal fishing methods and catching banned fish species.

The apprehended persons were from Muthur, Kinniya, Poduwakattu, Sallisambaltivu, Kalmunai, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Hasalaka, Kurinchanpitiya, Anawasala, Vettalakeni, Jaffna, Talaimannar, Erakkandi, Kinniya, Palleimunai, Mannar, Nilaveli, Trincomalee and Kuchchaveli, from 19 to 60 years of age.

The apprehended persons together with their fishing boats and other fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspectors of Kuchchaveli, Thirukkovil, Puttalam, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Mannar, Nilaveli and Jaffna, Police Stations of Kuchchaveli and Sampoor and the office of Department of Wildlife Authority in Nilaveli for legal action.