A Maadel (seine) fisherman involved in seine net fishing using winch machines illegally has been taken into custody in Maggona, together with two tractors fitted with the winch machines.
He was apprehended by officials of the Kalutara Fisheries Inspector’s Office near the Kudawa Fisheries Harbour in Maggona while engaged in pulling nets with winch machines, and was handed over to the Payagala Police.
The raid was carried out yesterday (Feb 23), and at the time fisheries officers arrived at the location, the suspect was engaged in pulling nets using two winch machines.
The fisherman arrested by the Payagala Police is a resident of Maggona, and he is to be produced before the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court.
On February 5, a group of fishermen staged a satyagraha protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat, demanding the lifting of the ban on maadel fishing using winch machines attached to tractors.
While the protest continued, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with the protesting maadel fishermen on February 13 for discussions and engaged in lengthy talks with them at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussions, all parties agreed to propose the most suitable solutions within a short period through dialogue, and it was decided to call off the protest. (Newswire)