A special discussion was recently held at the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources regarding the proper maintenance and management of Sri Lanka’s shark fishery in accordance with international standards.

The discussion was held under the patronage of Dr. B. K. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, with the participation of Mr. Susanta Kahawatta, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Officials who expressed their views at the discussion pointed out that sharks are caught as by-catch by Sri Lankan multi-day fishing vessels, and that the export of shark fins, shark gills, shark jaws and shark skin, as well as live ornamental shark species, earns a significant amount of foreign exchange for the country annually.

However, as sharks are considered a group of fish species threatened with extinction worldwide, the discussion emphasized the urgent need to manage this industry in accordance with international standards. The government has already taken strict measures to protect shark species whose capture is prohibited in Sri Lanka and to ensure that only legally permitted shark species are exported.

The key decisions reached at the discussion are as follows:

Data System and Traceability: Establishing a systematic data collection mechanism to accurately identify the journey of every shark caught by multi-day fishing vessels, from the location where it was caught to the final consumer.

Maintaining Export Limits: Maintaining the current export quantities of fish parts, particularly live ornamental sharks, at the existing levels without increasing them further.

Formal Management Plan: The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), in coordination with exporters and relevant institutions, will prepare and submit a shark fisheries management plan before the end of this year.

The new management framework being developed jointly by the Ministry of Fisheries, the Department of Fisheries and NARA is expected to enable Sri Lanka’s shark fishery to continue as a more transparent industry that respects international laws and regulations.

Officials from NARA and representatives of the Fish Exporters’ Association also participated in the occasion.