Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has appointed an expert committee to study illegal fishing methods being adopted by fishermen in different parts of the country.
The Minister appointed this committee after considering the protests and clashes that took place over the use of illegal fishing methods in many parts of the country during past few months.
The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry has already banned a number of fishing methods including the bottom trawling and the use of purse seine (Hebili Del), dynamite for fishing with the objective of preserving marine resources.
“As ministry has received many reports from various quarters that a handful of fishermen are still in the habit of using these illegal fishing methods, the Minister has appointed this committee to study as to why these methods are still being adopted”, a Ministry official told the Daily News.
The committee chaired by Professor Sunil Jayakody will comprise Sisira Haputhanthri and ministry legal office Shalika Waduthanthri.
This committee will hand over their report on the use of purse seine for fishing - which method is banned in Sri Lanka in three months.
The committee will hand over its second report on the use of other illegal fishing methods by Sri Lankan fishermen three months after that.
The Minister has directed the committee members to obtain the view of all stakeholders in the field on the use of illegal fishing methods.