• Four divisions assigned to review socio-economic and environmental impacts following ban

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) will begin today to review the two studies it conducted on the use of tractor-mounted winches for Ma-del (beach seine) fishing, in order to assess the recent impact following the ban, NARA Deputy Director General (DDG) - Research and Development, Dr. K.H.M.L. Amaralal said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (15), he said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had instructed NARA to revisit the studies carried out in 2015 and 2020. "Four NARA divisions will be assigned to undertake the review. Both reports have already been submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Development," he noted.

The DDG said the review would examine the latest socio-economic impacts as well as the effects on fish biomass. A detailed reassessment will be conducted to identify feasible solutions to the issue.

Fishermen engaged in the mechanised Ma-del fishing method called off their Sathyagraha after meeting President Dissanayake on 13 February. 

Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Development, Dr. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, told The Daily Morning there was no possibility of approving the mechanised Ma-del method. He noted that bans had already been imposed on light-coarse fishing using artificial lights in Ambalangoda and on trawling in Kalpitiya, and said the mechanised Ma-del method could not be approved either.

Dr. Jinadasa added the President had invited five representatives of the protesting fishermen to join the review teams before a final decision is taken. They have been asked to work with all stakeholders, including environmental and wildlife authorities, NARA officials and environmental activists, to assess the impact of the fishing method.