July 30, Colombo (LNW): Separate search operations conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard in the waters near Koneshwaram and Chapel Point, Trincomalee on 27 July resulted in the apprehension of 27 individuals involved in illegal fishing.
Five dinghies and unauthorised fishing gear were also confiscated.
The Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard are steadfast in their efforts to combat illegal fishing along the coast, promoting lawful fishing practices.
As part of these initiatives, the Eastern Naval Command’s Sri Lanka Naval Dockyard detained 17 individuals, along with three dinghies and unauthorised equipment, in the Koneshwaram area on the same day.
Additionally, the SLNS Mahaweli, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, apprehended 10 more individuals engaged in illegal fishing near Chapel Point.
Two dinghies and unauthorised fishing gear were seized during this operation.
The arrested individuals, aged between 17 and 71, are residents of Kinniya, Nilaveli, Trincomalee, Muthur, and Sampoor.
They, along with the confiscated dinghies and gear, were handed over to the Acting Fisheries Inspector of Cod Bay for further legal action.
