New regulations to help fishermen

by Mohammed NAALIR

New fishing regulations will be introduced to help Sri Lankan fishermen operate in international waters, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry sources said. Minister Rajitha Senaratna has given directives and guidelines to officials of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry over the introduction of new regulations. The new measures would offer a solution to the arrest of Sri Lankan fishermen in the international waters, the Minister said.Despite Sri Lanka having entered many international agreements related to this industry, Sri Lankan fishermen undergo untold hardships while fishing in international waters.

The present fishing legislation will be amended to develop fisheries and aquatic resources, improve security and management of the fishing industry and to implement international agreements.

Accordingly, amendments will be brought in, imposing new orders in relation to the fishing industry management areas, giving authority to officers to enforce them on international sea area and protecting fishing areas, the Minister said.