Naval personnel yesterday (09) apprehended 09 persons for engaging in illegal fishing activities in the Back Bay, Trincomalee, stated the Navy.
During routine patrol, a group of naval personnel attached to a craft in the Eastern Naval Command had apprehended the suspects who were practising illegal fishing using unauthorized fishing nets in the Back Bay area where fishing activities are banned.
The apprehended persons, aged 21 to 46 years of age, were identified as residents of Kinniya and Trincomalee, the Navy said.
One dinghy, one outboard motor, a 225m-long unauthorized net and 650 kg of illegally caught fish have also been taken in the naval custody.
The suspects and the seized items were handed over to the Assistant Director of Fisheries in Trincomalee, through the Sri Lanka Coast Guard for further investigations.
