Illegal fishing activities of Northern fishermen on the rise: Navy

By Romesh Madushanka   

Instances of illegal fishing activities in the Northern Seas is on the increase and 50 fishermen had been arrested by the Navy during last week alone. the Sri Lankan Navy informed.   

In addition, the fishermen were said to be engaged in illegal fishing in the coastal areas of Mullaitivu, Jaffna and Mannar using banned fishing nets. A total of 10 fishing boats, banned fishing nets, accessories and equipment used for illegal fishing had also been taken into the custody of the Navy, it is reported.   

Instead of engaging in traditional fishing activities, these fishermen engaged in illegal fishing had failed to realise the wanton damage they were causing to the ocean resources and the issues related. Therefore the Navy had requested the fisher folk of the North to refrain from illegal fishing activities, to avoid prosecution.