The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 On behalf of the Minister, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The fisheries industry is governed by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996; the Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act, No. 59 of 1979; the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2017; and 104 Regulations made thereunder. Under Order No. 948/25 of 1996, 17 approved fishing methods are permitted for the local industry, subject to operational licences issued by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Any fishing without a valid licence is illegal. Illegal fishing occurs at varying levels in all 15 fisheries districts, including Mullaitivu and Mannar, committed by a small number of fishers. This has been an issue for decades. (ii) Various regulations have been enacted over time to prohibit destructive methods harmful to the resource and sustainable fisheries. Strengthening the legal regime is crucial. The Cabinet has approved a new Bill aligned with the Government Policy Statement to replace the existing Act; it has been referred to the Legal Draftsman. Upon clearance, it will be presented to Parliament, and we seek Members’ support. (iii) There is a shortage of inspectors and assistant directors in the Department; a competitive exam was held on 19.10.2025 to recruit officers. With new recruits, enforcement will be expedited. Additionally, empowered officers from the Navy, Coast Guard and Police are conducting joint operations to increase detections and arrests.

¶ 03 Particularly for blast fishing, we work in coordination with Defence and Police to prevent access to explosives and to take pre-emptive action. Continuous joint operations are underway, aiming to halt illegal activities.

¶ 04 (b) (i) Illegal methods directly affect product quality. Explosives cause fish to die from shock, leading to internal damage and rapid spoilage; eggs and marine ecosystems are destroyed; only a fraction of killed fish are recoverable. (ii) No specific survey has been conducted. Illegal fishing is done by a small group seeking abnormal profits, but it adversely affects the wider fishing community’s daily livelihoods and catches. (iii) It is difficult to identify specific individual victims because many fish in each district. The proper remedy is to stop illegal practices to protect the resource and ecosystem, thereby safeguarding all fishers’ incomes. (iv) We do not agree that the law is inadequately enforced. Continuous patrols and raids are conducted jointly by the Navy, Coast Guard, Police and Department officers. Cases filed in the last three years in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Trincomalee are as follows: - Mullaitivu: 151 (2023), 152 (2024), 97 (2025 to date) - Mannar: 225 (yearly figures within the period; enforcement is being intensified) - Trincomalee: figures similarly recorded; resources will be further augmented. (v) Unprecedented coordination is being maintained among the Navy, Coast Guard, Police, the Ministry and Department, NARA and district fisheries offices. District-wise illegal activities are identified and tailored countermeasures developed. As Deputy Minister, I chaired meetings on 22.08.2025 and 16.10.2025 with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Additional Secretaries and officials of Defence and Fisheries to sustain this process.

¶ 05 (c) Not applicable.