The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 10 individuals on August 3 and 4 in Nilaweli and Lankapatuna in Trincomalee, while they were engaging in illegal fishing activities.
During these search operations, the Navy also held illegally caught fish, 116 illegally harvested sea cucumbers, three dinghies and diving gear.
The Navy conducts regular operations in the coastal and sea areas around the island in order to suppress illegal fishing activities. As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Vijayaba in the Eastern Naval Command carried out a special search operation in the sea area of Nilaweli on the night of August 3. During this operation Naval personnel searched an individual remaining at the beach for his suspicious behaviour and found a stock of fish caught by using explosives at night. Accordingly, the person and illegally caught fish were taken into Naval custody.
In addition, SLNS Lankapatuna in the early hours of August 4 searched a group of people remaining at the Lankapatuna beach area. The search led to the apprehension of nine persons for their involvement in night diving to catch sea cucumbers. Further, the Navy also held 116 illegally caught sea cucumbers, three dinghies and diving gear.
The apprehended persons, ranging in age from 24 to 48, were from the areas of Thambalagamuwa and China Bay. The apprehended persons along with illegally caught fish and sea cucumbers and other items were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Trincomalee for onward legal action.