The Sri Lanka Navy has yesterday arrested 15 local fishermen on two separate occasions for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing practices. A team of naval personnel attached to the Eastern Naval Command, during a routine patrol, apprehended the local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets in the waters off Norway Island. During the arrest, a dinghy and an unauthorized fishing net approximately 225 m long were also taken into custody. On Friday, Navy arrested another seven local fishermen in the same area engaged in illegal fishing using unauthorized nets. Along with the fishermen a dinghy, an unauthorized fishing net, 2 diving masks, 2 pairs of diving fins, and 50 kg of fish-harvest were taken into naval custody. The apprehended fishermen, fishing gears and the stock of fish were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, Trincomalee for onward action.