The Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 27 individuals for engaging in illegal fishing activities during operations conducted in local waters between June 16 and June 30.
During the operations, the Navy also took into custody 10 dinghies and two canoes used in the alleged illegal fishing activities.
According to the Navy, the operations were carried out by the Eastern, Northern, and Northwestern Naval Commands in the coastal and sea areas of Soodaikuda and Sweet Bay in Trincomalee; Uduththurai, Veththalakeni, Kaddaikadu, and Vallei in Jaffna; and Savaripuram in Silavathurai.
The arrested suspects, along with the fishing vessels and prohibited fishing gear seized during the operations, have been handed over to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources offices in Trincomalee, Mutur, Jaffna, and Mannar, as well as the Maruthankerny Police Station, for further legal proceedings.
