Navy apprehends 179 persons for illegal fishing

The Navy has arrested 179 persons involved in illegal fishing activities from different parts of the country during the past one and a half months, the Navy said.

The arrests were made from Western, Eastern, Northern, North-western, North-Central and Southern, Naval Commands, while 42 fishing boats, a lorry, a three-wheeler and fishing accessories were taken in to custody.

The accused had been taken into naval custody for a wide range of offences which included engaging in fishing without valid passes, using unauthorized fishing nets, engaging in night diving to catch fish, illegal possession of shark fins, conch shells and sea cucumbers as well as transportation of sea turtle eggs for sale.

The accused held in these operations were identified as residents of Mannar, Pallekuda, Pooneryn, Chunnagam, Vankalai, Nachchikuda, Bogaswewa, Vedithalativu, Arippu, Uppuweli, Sallisambaltivu, Kalpitiya, Negombo, Kandakkuliya, Kudawa, Puttalam, Norochcholai, Vennappuwa, Wadduwa, Dikwella, Gandara, Iranawila, Ja-Ela, Alawwa, Hambantota and  Jaffna areas.