Poaching in Sri Lankan waters to attract stiffer fines

Sri Lanka has increased the fine on foreign vessels fishing in its territorial waters by amending its existing Fisheries Act of 1979.

By implication, Indian vessels found fishing in Sri Lankan waters will henceforth be liable to pay anything between LKR 6 million (approximately Rs. 25 lakh) to LKR 175 million.

According to Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, the Sri Lankan Parliament earlier this week approved a set of amendments to the Foreign Fishing Boats Regulation Act of 1979, in effect increasing fines on foreign vessels trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, media reports said.

As per the amendment, poaching foreign fishing boats would be charged a fine proportional to their length. Observing a considerable increase in poaching, the Sri Lankan Cabinet in 2015 decided to consider stiffer penalties on foreign vessels poaching in its waters. After deliberations over two years, the amendment was passed in Parliament on Wednesday, though officials on Saturday said it would come into effect only after the Speaker signs it. Sri Lanka also banned bottom trawling in July 2017, amid growing concern among fisher-folk over depleting resources.

T.N. reacts strongly

The recent development impacting foreign vessels has provoked a sharp response from Tamil Nadu fishermen, particular owners of bottom trawlers, many of whom are accused of having fished illegally over the last seven years.

In the last decade, the Palk Bay Fisheries conflict between Tamil Nadu fishermen and their counterparts in the war-affected north in Sri Lanka emerged a major strain in diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, with high-level deliberations in the last two years, the number of trawlers spotted in Sri Lankan waters has reduced, observe local fisher-leaders.

“Our marine resources have been severely damaged in the last few years because of relentless bottom-trawling by Indian boats and more recently, local trawlers. In order to protect our fish, we need stringent laws and steep fines like this. We welcome the amendment,” said K. Rajachandran, president of a fisheries cooperative in Jaffna peninsula.

Source: The Hindu