New regulations soon to prevent Indian fishermen encroaching

by Naalir Jamaldeen

Special regulations will be introduced to prevent Indian fishing vessels encroaching into Sri Lankan waters, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

He said that the fishing vessels will be detained after releasing the Indian fishermen. The advice of the Attorney General will also be sought in this regard, the Minister said.

Indian fishermen encroaching into Sri Lankan waters is on the increase and as such the necessity to introduce new regulations has become imperative, he said.

He said that Indian fishermen use illegal fishing gear which destroys the marine resources and affects the livelihood of a large number of Sri Lankan fishermen. Nearly 1,000 Indian fishing vessels enter Sri Lankan waters around 2.00 pm and remain till 4.00 pm daily.

Complaints could be lodged with the Tuna Commission of the Indian Ocean. As India is a friendly nation, the Government refrains from making complaints against these fishermen.

The Minister said that a Joint Commission has also been set up to prevent Indian fishermen encroaching into Sri Lankan waters and Sri Lankan fishermen into Indian waters. The Commission will meet every six months to discuss its progress.

However, when the detained fishermen are released with their vessels, they will soon return to Sri Lankan waters, the Minister said.