The navy arrested nine fishermen while catching sea leeches without a valid license off Aripppu in Mannar on 20 November.
Their catch, diving equipment and three dinghies were seized during the raid.
According to the Navy, the suspects are residents of Mannar and aged between 25 and 47 years.
They have been handed over to the assistant fisheries director’s office for legal action.
Protest against separate licensing
On 12 October, fishermen of Pallimunai protested in front of the district secretariat against separate licensing for small scale fishermen.
They called for the introducing of a single license for all varieties of fish.
