As Sri Lanka conducts its National Fishing Vessel Census 2025 this month with the aim of modernising and digitising the fisheries sector, fishermen remain concerned that more immediate and pressing issues are being overlooked, despite welcoming the census as a positive move. 

In a move that is underway after more than a decade, all the information collected through the census will be entered into the new online database of the Ministry of Fisheries, and from 2026, all services, including issuing operating licences and providing subsidies, will be granted only for the vessels included in this census.

Nevertheless, fisheries sector stakeholders point out that urgent issues remain unaddressed amid the push for digitalisation. 

Just recently, Sri Lanka saw a string of fatal accidents involving fishing vessels, leaving several fishermen dead and prompting authorities to investigate maritime safety protocols and enforcements. Subsequent investigations by the Fisheries Department revealed that casualties could have been prevented if safety precautions had been followed. 

Facing a multitude of issues 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, All Ceylon Fisherfolk Trade Union Chairman Aruna Roshantha Fernando expressed hope that the incumbent Government would formulate a system to ensure the safety of fishermen at sea. 

“We currently only have lifejackets,” he said, noting that there should be a system where fishermen could alert authorities when they were in danger so that rescue attempts could be dispatched in a regularised manner. 

Outlining the more pressing issues, he highlighted the burden of high fuel prices on fishermen.  Explaining that while they opposed fuel subsidies since they enabled room for corruption and politicisation, he insisted that what fishermen wanted instead was lower prices for fuel. 

Further, he charged that insufficient compensation had been provided for fishermen subsequent to the X-Press Pearl disaster, which remained an enduring concern due to the lasting repercussions that affected marine biodiversity and fish yields.

Fish harvests have also declined at present, especially in terms of variety, with varieties like hurulla having almost disappeared after the X-Press Pearl disaster. “While this is typically a season where we usually catch such varieties, these harvests have significantly declined now.”

While acknowledging that the infrastructure for fishing vessels had somewhat improved, he stressed that moving ahead, the Government must consider the plight of fishermen and initiate discussions with them in order to make decisions on how to further develop existing resources. 

“The major issue at present is that the fish harvest isn’t being distributed properly,” he explained. “In Negombo, 1 kg of salaya is Rs. 200, but the situation is such that fish isn’t being sold even at that price. Instead, the harvest is being thrown away. Since fish cannot be sold, fishermen don’t go out to sea as often as before. There needs to be a fair price for fish and the harvest must be distributed islandwide.”

Contributing to such issues with distribution, he described how the Fisheries Corporation currently functioned as a profit-making entity instead of functioning as a mechanism to supply fish to the public at a favourable price. He noted that this system must be overhauled, with the corporation purchasing fish from fishermen at a fair price and ensuring the distribution of fish throughout the island. 

A clear picture of the ground reality 

Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning, National Fisheries Solidarity Organisation (NAFSO) Convenor Herman Kumara pointed out that while a census was useful to correct the underestimation of fishing vessels when it came to fisheries management and provide a clear picture of the existing vessel numbers to give a clear understanding of the ground reality, it should be used to address the more pertinent issues that prevailed. 

Accordingly, he noted that it was crucial to use the census to gain a clear understanding of the existing fishing gear among fishermen, in order to devise measures to prevent destructive fishing practices. 

“The dinghy boats use destructive fishing gear, such as dynamite, etc. It is important to have a census to find out the exact number of fishermen who have non-destructive fishing gear, since this is also part of fishery management. These smaller fishers are trying to prevent such destructive practices, but the Government is not giving enough consideration to this.”

Moreover, he pointed out that safety was also a consideration, noting: “Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Therefore, the census should identify how many boats possess lifejackets and safety equipment. If we can get a real picture of how many fishermen are using these, it will be useful.”

Kumara also pointed out that fishermen needed to communicate when at sea, which required technological equipment such as GPS. However, the lack of landing sites complicate the situation, with fishermen facing serious threats when launching their boats to sea.

We only have anchorage points in a few areas; if we have more information about this it would be helpful, since this can help minimise the risks to fishermen’s lives,” he noted. 

Vessel operators also require insurance schemes, safety measures, and even medical facilities when they operate at sea. Therefore, the NAFSO is advocating the ratification of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea in order to ensure that there will be procedures, policies, and actions to protect fishermen. 

Further pointing to the need for high-quality fish preservation methods, Kumara stressed the importance of having proper mechanisms for storage, pointing out that the Food and Agriculture Organization had estimated that one-third of the fish caught by multi-day boats were wasted due to spoilage. 

Govt. efforts 

Nevertheless, speaking to The Sunday Morning, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Rathna Gamage assured that the Government was committed to taking active measures to improve the lot of fishermen. 

While strongly urging fishermen to pay close attention to the Meteorological Department’s weather announcements in order to avoid risks, he stressed the importance of wearing protective gear as well. 

He also added that there were plans to provide increased relief to fishermen in cases of fishing accidents, with the Government initiating an insurance scheme for fishermen this week. 

Moreover, work is underway to broaden and improve facilities at ferries and fisheries harbours, alongside establishing fisheries communities centres and undertaking various other work in relation to fisheries villages.