SRI LANKA COAST GUARD APPREHENDED A FISHING VESSEL WITH ILLEGALLY HARVESTED TURTLE AND DOLPHIN FLESH

Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel deployed at Beruwala Fishery Harbour for fishery monitoring and regulating duties apprehended a Multiday Fishing Vessel along with 4 fishermen in possession of illegally harvested Turtle and Dolphin flesh on 24^th March 2021.

The apprehension was done during a search operation carried out on board a Multiday Fishing Vessel which was returned harbour after month long fishing. Apprehended items had been hidden in a compartment as they were found by the Coast Guard personnel. Catch, land, transport, sell, buy, receive or have in his possession any marine mammals or turtles is an offence under the Fishing Operations Regulations of 1996.

The arrested persons with apprehended items were handed over to Fisheries Inspector, Beruwala Fishery Harbour for onward legal actions.