THE SRI LANKA COAST GUARD APPREHENDED ILLEGALLY HARVESTED FISH CATCH

Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) personnel deployed at Beruwala Fishery Harbour for fishery monitoring and regulating duties arrested two persons possessing illegally harvested dried shark fins and shark flesh on 30^th March 2023 during arrival inspections.

The SLCG made the apprehension while the fish catch was being unloaded from the boat. Upon inspection, they discovered 591.4 kg of Shark flesh 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 Beruwala Fisheries Inspector for further investigation.