Illegal fishing: Ministry nets Rs 414,500 as fines

Rafik Jalaldeen

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department District Assistant Directors filed 928 cases before 11 Magistrates against illegal fishing and misuse of ocean resources.

Around 928 cases had been filed before 11 Magistrates.

The charges are not registering, not obtaining permits for fishing, using unauthorized fishing nets, illegal fishing, using dynamite for fishing and netting lobsters with eggs. Fisheries and Aquatics Resources Ministry collected Rs. 414,500 as fines on such activities in 2009.

However offences reported in 2009 were less than between 2006-2008.

These offenses were carried out in Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, Kalmunai, Galle, Matara, Tangalle, Kalutara, Colombo, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts from 2006 to 2009.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry Director General S.W. Pathirana said to maintain a sustainable fishing industry there should be proper management, conservation, development, preservation and protection of fishing equipment.

“Minister Felix Perera had instructed officials to take legal action on the basis of complaints against the misuse of ocean resources,” he added.