• Sri Lanka to strictly enforce tractor ban for fishing nets from 1 Jan. 

The Ministry of Fisheries has reaffirmed that the ban on using tractors to pull fishing nets will be strictly enforced starting 1 January, with all net owners already notified in writing and granted a grace period ahead of enforcement.

The move is part of broader measures to protect legal fishing communities and curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Speaking at a high-level meeting held at the Fisheries Ministry Auditorium on Thursday (16), Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stressed that the ministry was engaging with fishermen’s associations nationwide to address their concerns while implementing sustainable practices. 

The meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, included senior officials from the Navy, the Police, Intelligence, and the Fisheries Department.

When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Minister Chandrasekar highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly illegal fishing by Indian vessels, and announced plans to amend the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act to strengthen legal provisions, close loopholes exploited by offenders, and impose tougher penalties on illegal activities. 

“The livelihoods of thousands of legal fishermen have been destroyed due to the actions of a few engaging in illegal activities. Our aim is to protect them while ensuring sustainable fishing practices,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Navy Spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath confirmed that the Sri Lanka Navy had been taking stern action against illegal Indian poachers, apprehending a number of Indian fishermen. “Following the Navy’s recent operations, Indian fishermen are now reluctant to enter Sri Lankan waters, and we are seeing a reduction in poaching at present,” he said.

Sri Lanka, as a signatory to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU Fishing, has strict controls for foreign fishing vessels entering ports such as Colombo and Galle and the Dikkowita Fishery Harbour.

Vessels must submit an Advance Request of Entry into Port (AREP) 48 hours before a first call and 24 hours before subsequent calls. Permits are issued only to vessels from Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) member states with no IUU fishing record, and stateless vessels or those unable to prove legal status are denied entry. Port inspectors conduct thorough inspections, and details are reported to the IOTC, relevant flag states, and the FAO.

National legislation provides a strong legal framework to combat IUU fishing. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No.2 of 1996, as amended multiple times including in 2023, governs local and foreign fishing vessels, requiring licences, vessel monitoring systems, and strict adherence to fishing regulations. 

Section 14 O prohibits IUU fishing within Sri Lankan waters and on the high seas, while Section 14 P allows cancellation of registrations for offending vessels. Violations can result in imprisonment or fines ranging from Rs. 1.5 million to Rs. 150 million depending on the severity. Bottom trawling is explicitly banned, with penalties including imprisonment up to two years or fines of Rs. 50,000.

The ministry is also introducing regulations to comply with international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures, and resolutions by the IOTC. Electronic monitoring systems and satellite data are admissible as evidence in legal proceedings under the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act, allowing authorities to prosecute IUU fishing activities effectively.

Minister Chandrasekar reiterated that, along with enforcement, the ministry was implementing awareness programmes on the damage caused by illegal fishing. “Our goal is not only to punish but to protect the legal fishing community and secure their livelihoods,” he said, emphasising that modern technology and innovative practices were being integrated to attract youth back into the fishing sector.

However, at the high-level meeting held last week, Ministry of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Sampath Thuyacontha stressed that illegal fishing was also a national security concern, assuring full support from the Defence Ministry to ensure strong coordination among the Navy, Police, and Fisheries Ministry in enforcement operations.