Navy apprehends 47 persons for engaging in illegal fishing in Eastern seas

The Navy apprehended 47 persons who engaged in illegal fishing in the sea area of Foul Point in Trincomalee on 17th July 2020.

Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular patrols in island’s waters for the prevention of illegal fishing practices. Accordingly, naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command, during a special operation in the sea area of Foul Point, apprehended these 47 persons for engaging in illegal fishing by means of unauthorized nets. Along with the suspects, the Navy also took 08 dinghies, 08 unauthorized nets, 557kg of illegally caught fish and several other fishing gear into naval custody.

The 47 detainees were identified as residents of Kinniya, aged between 28 and 56. Subsequently, the accused together with seized items and stock of fish were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Trincomalee, through the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, for onward investigation.