Tough action against illegal fishing

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has filed 563 cases against fishermen using illegal fishing vessels and equipment, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne.

'Out of this, 199 cases have been reported from Batticaloa, 128 from Puttalam, 56 from Trincomalee, 68 from Kalmunai, 49 from Negombo, 18 from Galle, 16 from Mannar, 14 from Tangalle, eight from Kalutara, four from Matara and 17 from Chilaw.

Around 419 cases were filed in 2010 and there are only 144 cases filed this year.

According to these statistics, the large number of measures which have been taken by the Fisheries Ministry to ban illegal fishing vessels and equipment in the fisheries industry have been successful, ministry sources said. The minister said that 477 cases out of the 563 are regarding fishing with dynamite, using illegal nets and equipment. The rest relate to using unregistered fishing boats, non-renewed fishing licences and permits.

"These illegal acts occur continuously. Fines do not help control illegal activities. The Fisheries Ministry will therefore take urgent action to introduce proper fishing vessels and equipment," Senaratne said.

The Fisheries Ministry will provide loans and other needs for the fisheries community to strengthen the fisheries industry.

It will help uplift their livelihoods and increase fish breeding, the Minister said.

The Department of Fisheries has advised divisional officers to arrest and take legal action against fishermen using illegal fishing methods, Senaratne said.