Eight persons have been arrested on charges of illegal fishing in the Jaffna North Maratchie East and their boats and nets have been seized by the Navy. The Navy conducted a special search operation in the sea and coastal areas on Friday (26) with the aim of controlling those involved in illegal fishing in the Kattaikadu area. During the operation, the Navy arrested six persons involved in fishing in a boat on charges including fishing by lighting the sea and using illegal nets, and seized their boats and fishing equipment. Meanwhile, during a search operation conducted on the shore, two persons were arrested on charges of possession of prohibited purse seine nets and the Navy also seized the nets in their possession. The Navy has taken steps to produce the eight arrested fishermen, along with the boats, nets and fishing equipment seized from them, in court through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department officials.