COAST GUARD APPREHENDED FISHING VESSELS WITH ILLEGALLY HARVESTED SHARK FINS

Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel deployed at Cod bay and Mirissa Fishery Harbours for fishery monitoring and regulating duties apprehended three Multiday Fishing Vessels along with fishermen in possession of illegally harvested Shark fins on 19th February 2021 in two separate incidents.

SLCG personnel found 48 dried shark fins and approx. 89 kg of dried shark flesh hidden inside during a search operation conducted on board two Multiday Fishing Vessels which returned Cod Bay harbour after month long fishing on 19th February. Another ‘Multiday Fishing Vessel’ arrested at Mirissa with five fishermen on 19th February for the possession of illegally harvested shark fins.

The retaining on board, transshipping or landing the ‘fins or carcass of sharks of which fins have been removed’ is an offence under the Shark Fisheries Management (High Seas) Regulations, 2015.

All vessels and arrested persons were handed over to Additional Director, Fisheries, Trincomalee and Fishery Officer, Mirissa for onward legal actions.