NAFSO had launched an awareness campaign on the legal implications on violations of maritime boundaries and procedures for get release the arrested fish workers working in multi day fishery vessels operate in deep sea.
The education campaign launched among 22 communities in Negombo and Beruwala fishing areas.
The survey conducted among 100 fish workers and their family members during November, 2015- March, 2016 and the BIOT (British Indian Ocean Territories) Legal advisor met community participants from Beruwala fishing area and visited Munnakkaraya and Kudapaduwa fishing communities in Negombo for an assessment of the success of the work as well as to learn the difficulties faced by the fish workers once arrest and keep the jail.
The emphasis of the participants at the discussion with Ms. Denise, the legal advisor of BIOT was the empty nets and low income fish workers once conduct fishing operations only within the Sri Lankan EEZ. "Our husbands forget the international maritime boundaries once they remind the indebtedness of the family and the hungry children at home. So they cross the boarders and suffer due to arrest and jail in long term without trial." Nilanthi Perera, a wife of Multi day boat operator from Munnakkara fishing village in Negombo said at her sharing with Denise.
"We need a concession for the double charges. The fine from foreign country as well as once our fishermen return home is unfare and need a relief." Said Nilanthi.
Denise, the BIOT legal advisor agreed to this view shared by Nilanthi and said, "I agree this is unfare. Dual charges for one offence is not fare treatment. Now we are in a dialogue to change this and charge one side only."
It was clear to Denise, the BIOT Legal advisor the sufferings of fisher families, not only economic difficulties but also the unsecured situations of the girl children once the bread winner, the father arrest and keep in jails long term.
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