The Navy arrested 17 individuals for engaging in illegal fishing activities during separate operations conducted in recent weeks in the coastal areas of Kokkadi, Nandikadal, Mullaitivu, Anawasala, Sinnapadu, and Kadeikadu.

The suspects were apprehended while engaging in destructive fishing practices, including the use of explosives, fishing with unauthorised nets without a valid licence, and illegal night diving. The operations also led to the apprehension of 12 fishing boats, a motorbike, 156 unauthorised fishing nets, 184 sea cucumbers, and 22 conch shells.

The Sri Lanka Navy continues to monitor and conduct operations to curb illegal fishing along the country’s coastal areas to ensure lawful fishing practices.

As part of these efforts, SLNS Gotabhaya, under the Eastern Naval Command, carried out special search operations in the Mullaitivu sea area and in the Nandikadal Lagoon between 13 and 16 February. These operations resulted in the arrest of six fishermen engaged in illegal fishing using unauthorised nets. Additionally, naval personnel seized two dinghies, six small boats, 125 illegal fishing traps, 21 trammel nets, nine nylon nets, and a purse seine net.

Furthermore, on 15 February, SLNS Perakumba of the Eastern Naval Command arrested a suspect in the Kokkadi coastal area of Trincomalee with a stock of fish believed to have been caught using explosives.

On 16 February, SLNS Vijaya, under the Northwestern Naval Command, conducted a search operation in the sea off Anawasala, resulting in the arrest of three fishermen. A dinghy, 139 sea cucumbers, and 22 conchs were also taken into custody for illegal harvesting. Similarly, on 19 February, SLNS Thambapanni conducted a search operation in the Sinnapadu coastal area of Chilaw, leading to the arrest of six fishermen involved in illegal night diving. Two dinghies, 45 sea cucumbers, and diving equipment were also apprehended.

In another operation on 19 February, Naval Deployment Veththalakerni of the Northern Naval Command apprehended a suspect in the Mullaiyan Kadeikadu area for fishing without a valid licence. A dinghy was also taken into custody during the operation.

The arrested individuals, aged between 18 and 58, are residents of Mullaitivu, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, Kottantivu, Thopur, and Mulliyan. The suspects, along with the seized items, were handed over to the respective authorities, including the Mullaitivu Assistant Directorate of Fisheries, the Puttalam Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Office, the Mannar Assistant Director of Fisheries, the Muttur Fisheries Inspector, and the Jaffna Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Office, for further legal proceedings.