Ten arrested for illegal fishing

The Navy arrested 10 persons who engaged in illegal fishing, during operations carried out in the Eastern and Northwestern sea areas over the past two days.

Accordingly, the Eastern Naval Command nabbed 4 residents of Kuchchaveli for engaging in fishing by means of explosives, during an operation conducted in the sea area of Salpeyaru on October 27, the Navy said in a statement. Along with the suspects a dinghy, 2 high explosive charges consisting non electric detonators and safety fuses, diving gear and an unauthorised fishing net were also seized by the Navy.

Further, the Northwestern Naval Command apprehended 6 suspects with 300 illegally collected sea shanks, a dinghy and diving accessories, during an operation carried out in Kallaru sea area on October 28. The accused were identified as residents of Mannar, aged from 20 to 57.

The accused along with the fishing gear in their possession were handed over to the Kuchchaveli Police station and Mannar Fisheries Inspector for onward legal action.