The Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources has decided to launch an extensive, joint program to curb illegal fishing, which has become a serious threat to the ocean resources of Sri Lanka and the sustainability of the fishing industry.
This special discussion, chaired by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, was attended by Members of Parliament Ajith Gihan, Stephanie Fernando and Roshan Akmeemana representing the coastal districts, as well as senior officials from the Sri Lanka Navy, Department of Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries, NARA and the Sri Lanka’s Controller of Explosives. A Sri Lanka Army officer representing the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense also participated in the event.
Speaking to the media, *Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar* emphasized,
"We must put an end to the process of destroying our maritime borders, fishing communities and the entire ocean resources using illegal gear. The damage caused by the use of light course, layla, purse seines and explosives is immense. If this situation continues, our future generations will be left with only a sea desert. We have taken these tough decisions to secure the future of the fishing industry and the fishing community."
The main measures taken in this discussion are as follows:
1. Joint District Coordination Committees: Strong coordination committees will be established covering all 15 coastal districts, comprising the Navy, Police, Department of Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and representatives of the fishing community. This will identify and prepare formal plans to curb illegal activities unique to each district.
2. Introduction of Hotlines: Special hotlines have been introduced to the public and the fishing community to provide immediate information about illegal activities taking place at sea. The authorities have given full assurance to protect the confidentiality of the identity of the informants. Strengthening the legal framework
* Navy: 105
* Department of Coast Guard: 106
3: It was decided to promptly introduce a new act in parliament to replace the existing Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and to amend the existing regulations to suit the needs of the time.
4. Immediate raids and awareness programmes: It was decided to increase immediate raids jointly by the relevant security forces targeting areas where illegal fishing activities are prevalent, and to implement a massive program to raise awareness among the fishing community.
Speaking at the event, Dr. B. K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, said:
"The main objective of the today's discussion was to control the activities taking place using illegal gear. We must understand that the sea is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry or the Navy, but it is a common resource belonging to everyone in this country, whether fishing or not. Therefore, we have decided that everyone should intervene to protect this resource," he said.
Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, also expressed his views on the occasion and said,
"The fishing community itself points out that even the fishing methods that were legally introduced decades ago are causing damage today. Accordingly, the NARA Institute has decided to re-review even those legal fishing methods. These illegal activities carried out by a very small number of people are a major reason for the rapid depletion of our fishing resources. It is essential to strengthen the legal framework and implement the law strictly at the grassroots level to stop this.”
The sole objective of the government is to make the fishing industry in Sri Lanka a sustainable and high-economic value industry through these joint measures.
