4,540 kg of illegally harvested sea cucumber detained at Kudawella fishery harbour

Sri Lanka Coast Guard has seized about 4,540 kg of illegally harvested sea cucumber, during a special search conducted at Kudawella fishery harbour in Matara on 24 September. 

The stock of sea cucumber had been recovered by officials of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard after inspecting a suspicious fishing vessel at the Kudawella fishery harbour. Moreover, seven suspects in connection to this incident were also held with the suspicious vessel and several other fishing gear. 

The accused who are aged from 31 to 55 are residents of Matara, Kottegoda and Thalathuoya areas. The apprehended persons together with the haul of sea cucumber, fishing vessel and fishing gear were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Kudawella, following the health guidelines issued for the prevention of COVID-19 outbreak.