The Sri Lanka Navy has on Saturday in two separate incidents arrested 32 local fishermen who allegedly engaged in illegal fishing practices. Naval personnel on board Fast Attack Craft attached to SLNS Uttara of Northern Naval Command in Kankasanthurai, arrested 30 local fishermen who engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers between Chundikulam and Vettalakerni sea area yesterday (23). During the raid 2,264 sea cucumbers, 102 oxygen cylinders, 25 diving masks, 22 pairs of diving fins and 10 G.P.S units were taken into custody. The arrested persons and their equipment were produced to the Inspectorate of Fisheries in Jaffna for onward investigations. On the same day naval troops attached to Naval Sub Unit in Batticaloa fort of Eastern Naval Command apprehended another 2 local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing activities using banned fishing nets in Periyauppodai sea area. The apprehended persons and items were handed over to the Police in Batticaloa for further investigations. Although sea cucumber fishing is not banned in Sri Lanka, it is allowed only with a permit to prevent over exploitation of marine species and adverse effect on the marine eco system.
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