COAST GUARD ARREST FISHERMEN FOR KILLING PROTECTED WHALE SHARK

On 11th October 2017, the Coast Guard Personnel apprehended four fishermen who had fished a whale shark (Mini Muthu Mora) of approximately 170 Kg. This was discovered whilst checking the fishing boat at Valachchenai Fishery Harbour as a routine inspection.

The Whale Shark is a protected species under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act of Sri Lanka as per the appendix II of the Act. Apprehended 04 fishermen were handed over to the Fishery Official, ADF (Batticoloa) for further investigation and legal formalities.

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) undertakes fishery marshalling duties in various fishery harbours island wide to prevent illegal fishing activities and also to educate fishermen regarding fishery laws and regulations in Sri Lanka. Despite these measures it is regretted that fishermen continue to be ignore the laws and the very necessity of protecting the environment they use for their livelihood.