Naval operations lead to nab 38 persons engaged in illegal fishing and other unlawful acts

Operations conducted by the Navy and a coordinated search carried out with the Police from 15^th to 20^th October 2020, led to the apprehension of 38 individuals who engaged in illegal fishing and other unlawful acts in different areas of the island.

Accordingly, the Eastern Naval Command, during separate operations carried out in the sea areas off Boulder Point, Foul Point, Gopalpuram, Nayaru and Batticaloa lagoon in Kotuwamada has apprehended 28 persons for engaging in fishing by means of unauthorized nets, light-coarse fishing and illegal scuba diving activities. Along with the suspects 07 dinghies, unauthorized nets and several other fishing gear were also held by the Navy.

Meanwhile, the Northwestern Naval Command also held 08 individuals with 02 dinghies and few diving accessories, while they were engaging in illegal diving to catch fish in the sea area northwest of Uchchamunai Island.

In another development, the North Central Naval Command in coordination with the Mannar Police carried out a search at a conch shell collection point in Erukkulampiddi area and managed to apprehend a suspect with 60 conches which are less than 70mm in diameter. During further investigation, the raiding party was able to collar another individual for storing 1814 conch shells by illegal means at a house in the same area.

The apprehended persons in these separate operations have been identified as residents of Poduwakattu, Kuchchaveli, Sandy Bay, Nilaveli, Ikbar Nagar, Kokilai, Kandakkuliya, Kalpitiya and Erukkulampiddi areas, from 21 to 55 years of age. The accuseds together with seized items and accessories were handed over to the Assistant Directors of Fisheries in Trincomalee and Batticaloa, Fisheries Inspectors of Mullaitivu, Kuchchaveli and Kalpitiya and Mannar Police station for onward investigations.