Raid in Kalpitiya by Puttalam fisheries officials; illegal cage nets seized

The Puttalam fisheries office carried out a raid in Kalpitiya to confiscate illegal fishing nets, which cause destruction to marine resources.

Around 150 of these illegal cage nets, known as kudu del in Sinhalese, were found after the raid was carried out on Thursday.

The nets are valued at around Rs five million.

Puttalam fisheries office Assistant Director Suminda Prabaty Wickremaarachchi told the Sunday Times that these nets are illegal because young fish also get caught in these nets, and this prevents the growth of certain fish species.

He said these cage nets are rented out by a group of businessman in the area, and fishermen lay them in the sea around Kalpitiya.

Naval officials from the Kalpitiya Vijaya Navy camp assisted fisheries officials. Eranga Weerakoon, Y. U. Sanjeewa and T. N. Balage in the raid.