The Sri Lanka Navy Wednesday said it has arrested 15 local fishermen for allegedly engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers without a license. Naval personnel attached to SLNS Welusumana located in Mandaitivu in the Northern Naval Area arrested the 15 individuals while harvesting sea cucumbers, without an authorized license, in seas off Mandaitivu on Tuesday (19). Along with the suspects 104 sea cucumbers, 7 diving masks, 6 pairs of diving fins and a traditional boat (Wallam) were also taken into naval custody. The arrested persons and items were handed over to the Jaffna Fisheries Inspector for onward action. Sea cucumber fishing is not banned in Sri Lanka but allowed only with a permit to prevent over exploitation of marine species and adversely affecting the marine eco system.
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