Naval personnel onboard P 445 attached to Eastern Naval Command arrested six local fishermen engaged in illegal harvesting of sea cucumbers in the seas east of Chalai on 7th May 2016.

During the raid, 150 sea cucumbers along with two Fiber Glass Dinghies (FGDs), 20 oxygen cylinders, four pairs of diving fins and four diving masks were taken into custody.

The arrested persons and their belongings were handed over to the Mullaitivu Police for further investigations.

In a separate incident, on receipt of information, the naval personnel onboard a P 483 belonging to South Eastern Naval Command, arrested another four persons engaged in illegal fishing activity using an FGD and diving equipment in the general area of Akkaraipattu on 8th May 2016. During the arrest, three pairs of diving fins, three diving masks, 107 sea cucumbers and 25 kilograms of fish (mullet) were taken into custody. The apprehended persons and the items were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector (Addalachchenai) for onward action.