THE SRI LANKA COAST GUARD APPREHENDED INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE IN POSSESSION OF ILLEGALLY HARVESTED FISH CATCH

Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel deployed at Dikovita Fishery Harbour for fishery monitoring and regulating duties arrested six persons possessing illegally harvested dried shark fins, shark fish and dried Dolphin fish on 28^th March 2023 during arrival inspections.

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard made the apprehension while the fish catch was being unloaded from the boat. Upon inspection, they discovered 8.656 kg of dried Shark fish, 1.16kg of dried shark fins and 3.26kg of dried Dolphin fish hidden on board. It is important to note that retaining, transshipping, selling, or landing any parts of a shark species and marine mammals is considered 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 Dikovita Fisheries Inspector for further investigation.