Rs. 300,000 fish catch triggers surge in illegal fishing in Mannar

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested two men in the Mulankavil area of Mannar on Wednesday for allegedly fishing illegally using dynamite.

The Navy also seized about 380 kilograms of fish, a vehicle used to transport the catch and a quantity of fishing equipment.

The suspects and the seized items were handed over to fisheries inspectors in Mannar for further action.

Fisheries officials said illegal fishing had increased in the area after a local fisherman recently caught a large koppara fish valued at around Rs. 300,000.

They said this had prompted a number of people without valid fishing licences to begin fishing illegally in Mannar waters.

The Mannar Fisheries Inspector’s Office said legal action would be taken against the two suspects.