Three arrested in Jaffna with illegally harvested sea cucumbers

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested three individuals along with a vessel for illegally harvesting sea cucumbers through night diving during a special search operation in the Kudarappu beach area, Jaffna, yesterday (05) morning.

The Navy stated that 673 sea cucumbers and fishing gear were also taken into custody during the operation.

The special search operation was carried out in the Kudarappu beach area by Naval Deployment Vettalakeni, belonging to the Northern Naval Command. The stock of sea cucumbers was seized following the inspection of a suspicious vessel that was transporting the illegally gathered catch to land.

According to the Navy, the arrested suspects are residents of Mannar aged between 51 and 56.

The suspects, the stock of sea cucumbers, the vessel, and the fishing gear have been handed over to the Fisheries Inspector Office in Jaffna for further legal action.