(UTV|COLOMBO) – Navy apprehended 9 local fishermen engaged in illegal fishing in separate locations. Accordingly, naval personnel attached to the South Eastern Naval Command arrested 3 persons who were illegally catching lobsters in the areas of Panama, Okanda, Pothuvil and Komari. Along with the persons, a dinghy, 2 illegal fishing nets, 21 lobsters were also taken into naval custody. Catching lobsters during this period of the year has been prohibited since this is the breeding season of them. Arrested persons, fishing gear and the catch of lobsters were handed over to the Acting Fisheries Inspector in Panama.
Naval personnel attached to the Northwestern Naval Command arrested 3 persons engaged in illegal diving practices for fishing at Anawasala sea area. During the raid, a dinghy, 12 oxygen cylinders, 2 diving masks, 2 pairs of diving fins and 45 kg of illegally caught fish were taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons and items were produced before the Puttalam Assistant Director of Fisheries for onward action.
Meanwhile, naval personnel attached to the North Central Naval command apprehended another 3 persons for engaging in illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets in the sea area of Chalaipadu. Along with the arrested persons a dinghy and 85 m long unauthorized fishing net were also taken into naval custody. The apprehended persons, dinghy and fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector in Punekari for further investigations.
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