The District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting to discuss issues affecting the fisheries sector in the Trincomalee District and to identify practical solutions was held yesterday (13) at the main conference hall of the Trincomalee District Secretariat under the patronage of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

The meeting, coordinated by the District Secretary, W.G.M. Hemantha Kumara, was attended by the Chairman of the Trincomalee District Coordination Committee and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, Trincomalee District Parliamentarian Roshan Akmeemana, and a number of other officials and representatives.

Also present were Dr. B.K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources; Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Susantha Kahawatte; the District Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries; the Assistant Director of the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA); heads and officers of state institutions in the district; representatives of fishing associations and other fisheries-related organizations; Navy and Police officers; and a large number of fishermen from the district.

Addressing the meeting at the outset, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar stated that the main objective of the meeting was to directly identify the problems faced by fishermen in the Trincomalee District and provide practical solutions through the coordinated efforts of the relevant institutions.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of taking necessary action through the relevant institutions, systematically monitoring progress, and ensuring that issues directly affecting the daily livelihoods of the fishing community are not left unresolved for extended periods.

During the meeting, the measures taken so far and the progress made regarding the issues raised at the previous District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting were reviewed in detail.

Particular attention was given to the preparation of a report on the potential environmental impacts of fishing and tourism activities in Erakkandi Lagoon, the establishment of new police stations in the Thennamarawadi and Lankapatuna areas, and the registration of fishing vessels operating in fishery harbour surroundings.

The need to resolve issues relating to the release of the Buffer Zone area of the Cod-Bay Fishery harbour and the removal of 10 abandoned vessels from the harbor premises was also discussed.

A request submitted by the fishing community using small-engine boats received special attention at the meeting. Considering the difficulties faced by fishermen when going to sea during periods of strong winds, it was decided that a final decision would be taken following further discussions with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Navy regarding permission to conduct fishing activities using small-engine boats within a specified area of the port.

Issues relating to mud-net fishing activities in the Pulmudei area, permission to operate small boats within a specified distance, and administrative difficulties faced by fishermen using multi-day fishing vessels were also discussed in detail.

Considering the inconvenience caused to fishermen who have to visit various institutions to complete paperwork and other administrative procedures, attention was given to establishing a combined service centre where all necessary services could be obtained from a single location.

The meeting also discussed the effective implementation of plans to prevent illegal fishing activities, the progress of fishing landing-site development projects, the land issue at the Iqbal Nagar fishing landing site, security concerns at Cod-Bay Fishery Harbour, and the shortage of fisheries inspectors and physical resources at NAQDA.

Issues arising from the anchoring of fishing vessels in tourist areas and conflicts between the tourism and fisheries sectors were also discussed. Measures were considered to protect the interests and benefits of both sectors while ensuring that their activities can continue without unnecessary conflict.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar emphasized that no issue directly affecting the livelihood of the fishing community should be left without proper attention. He further stated that the institution responsible for each issue should be clearly identified and its progress continuously monitored.

The Minister pointed out that the development of the fisheries sector should not be limited to improving the livelihoods of the fishing community, but should also take into account environmental protection, port management, the prevention of illegal fishing activities, and effective coordination between the tourism and fisheries sectors.

The Minister also emphasized the need to provide integrated services, essential infrastructure facilities, and the services of relevant officers so that members of the fishing community can complete their administrative activities conveniently and efficiently.

The meeting further emphasized the importance of cooperation among all relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Navy, Police, NAQDA, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation, and Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, in resolving the issues faced by the fishing community in the Trincomalee District.

Following the implementation of solutions to the issues presented by the fishing community, the progress of these measures will be reviewed at the next District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting.

It was also decided that the overall situation would be reviewed continuously in the future.

The meeting marked an important step towards enabling all relevant government institutions to work together to provide prompt, practical, and sustainable solutions to the long-standing and day-to-day problems faced by the fishing community in the Trincomalee District.