Sri Lankan fishing industry incurs a loss of Rs. 9000 million each year

Dec 19, 2016

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Mahinda Amaraweera issuing a statement today (19th December), stated that the Sri Lankan fishing industry incurs a loss of Rs. 9000 million each year due to illegal fishing by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, local media reports.

He added that the Indian fishermen had illegally snared close to 6000 tons of fish from Sri Lankan waters each week. He stated that at least 3 Indian fishing boats enter Sri Lankan waters to conduct illegal fishing activities, and that it adds up to nearly 5000 fishing boats entering our waters each year. “This is a huge threat to the Sri lankan fishing industry”, he said.

He added that however, in comparison to previous years, the number of illegal fishing boats entering our waters had decreased by 50% this year, due to the strict security provided by the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sri Lankan Coast Guard.

AshWaru Colombo