r Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

SLCG nabs illegally harvested shark parts

May 06, 2022

Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) nabbed illegally harvested parts of sharks with six fishermen and a multi-day fishing vessel at the Negambo Fishery Harbor.

The suspects were nabbed for the possession of illegally harvested prohibited shark fins and dried Sharks fish, the SLCG said.

SLCG sources further said that the suspects were taken into custody while conducting an on-board inspection in a multi-day fishing trawler and nabbed 100 Shark fins (approx. 8 kilos) and 170 kilos of dried shark flesh on their return from fishing.

Retaining, transshipping, or landing the ‘parts of any shark species’ is an offense according to the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources act 1996 No. 02 order No. 3(i), they added.

Suspects along with apprehended illegal items were handed over to the Negombo Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings, SLCG also said.