442 individuals have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy along with 153 fishing boats and other fishing accessories, while engaging in illegal fishing practices in Eastern, Southeastern, Northwestern, Northern and North Central Naval Commands in past 03 months commencing from 01st April to 30th June 2021
Accordingly, these individuals and the rest of their belongings were held for fishing without valid passes, using unauthorized nets, engaging in night diving to catch fish, practicing light-coarse fishing, engaging in diving to harvest sea cucumber and fishing in restricted sea areas.
The apprehended persons were residents of Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, Talaimannar, Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kegalle and Matara areas aged between 16 and 60.
