"Stop Destructive Fishing to reduce Trans Boarder Issues"- Says Beruwala Fisher people

NAFSO conducted

a survey among two major fishing harbors in western province in Beruwala and Negombo which was covered among 100 families of arrested fishermen. The main aim of the survey is to educate deep sea going multi day boat operators and owners the issues, reasons and remedies to the issue as community as well as the proposed legal procedures to comply with the European Union conditions to revisit and lift the ban of Sri Lankan fish import to European Union.
The survey report was published in Sinhala language so far as NAFSO team expects to validate and finalize the findings presenting to the report to the communities.
The report presenting and validation meeting held in Beruwala today with men and women who engaged in the survey process.
At the same time, the presentation on legal provisions in the Fisheries Act [Amended] No. 02 of 2015  which gives the legal backing to fine and to prison the fishers and fishing vessels when SL fishermen cross the boarders and violate the International Maritime Boundaries.
The fisher men and women shared their grievances, the challenges they face when they arrest and jail in foreign countries as well as their wives and family members in back home. Most of those are reflected in the survey report and fisher people felt the government is trying to oppress the fishing communities further with massive scale fine imposed on them and no any support for the families to survive when the bread winner is out in the jail.
"It is unacceptable and unbearable, the legal provision for fine huge amount of money once violated the International Maritime Boundaries. This is like blood sucking of fishermen. Who can afford 1.5 million Sri Lankan rupees and 2 years of imprisonment? We are crossing boarders because there is no fish in Sri Lankan EEZ. Sri Lankan authorities should take action to protect SL fishermen running all around the world." said, Ariyarathne, a fisherman in Beruwala fishery harbor.

But most important matter to prevent crossing boarders by the fishermen as suggested by the audience was following;
a. Stop all the destructive fishing practices in the sea. For and example fishers strongly condemned the use of Log fishery "Kadan Course" in Sinhala term. Also, Lyla, Surukku, Light Purse Seine nets, dynamiting, Butter lone fishery, all are destructive and should be banned.
b. Provide better marketing facilities even if the catch is low. When there is a substantial share for the fishermen from their boat trip, they are satisfied and refrain crossing the boarders and stay within SL EEZ. Today what happen is there is less fish as well as no proper income due to no reasonable price for the catch.

"Stop destructive fishing practices in Sri Lankan waters through enforcing the existing fishing regulations." This was the main demand and people agreed to send a letter demanding above 2 to the authorities.

There will be follow up awareness actions in order to educate fisher communities on what are the measures to be taken once the next report produce introducing the procedures on release of fishermen once arrested in foreign countries.