SRI LANKA COAST GUARD ARRESTED PERSONS WITH ILLEGALLY HARVESTED DRIED SHARK FISH, SHARK FINS, DOLPHIN FLESH AND SHARK FLESH

Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel deployed at Negombo Fishery Harbour for fishery monitoring and regulating duties arrested six persons in possession of illegally harvested dried shark fins, dried shark fish, shark flesh and Dolphin flesh on 10^th March 2023 during arrival inspections after fishing.

The apprehension was made during the unloading of fish catch and found 15.25 kg of dried Shark fish, 3.5kg of shark fins, 14.4kg of Dolphin flesh, 32 kg of Common Thresher Shark flesh and 27kg of Oceanic Whitetip Shark flesh hidden inside the boat. Retaining, transshipping, selling, or landing the ‘parts of any shark species’ and marine mammals is an offence under order number 4 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources act 1996 No 2.

The arrested persons with apprehended items were handed over to the Negombo Fisheries Inspector for further investigation.