Navy preventing catching Sand fish (beach de mer) accuse Mannar Fishermen

Although, the fisheries Department had allowed the sand fish fishing in southern sea of Mannar the Navy is preventing it accused the Mannar Fishermen.

For a long time Mannar Fishermen are engaged in diving for sand fish in the nights. The are engaging in it with permits from the Department of Fisheries.

The sand fishing could be done only for 7 months from October to April. It could not be done in the other months.Most of the Mannar fishermen use air-cylinders for diving while others go skin- diving.

Currently the Navy is not allowing night diving and insisting with us to do it in day time. The Fisheries Department had issued permits but the Navy who had predominance in sand fish catching is preventing us the fishermen said. Because of this the families of fishermen had to face several difficulties. Suitable action should be taken regarding this they had requested.