The Mullaitivu District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting was successfully held yesterday (25th of June) at the Mullaitivu District Secretariat under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Rathna Gamage.
The meeting, organized and held at the invitation of the Mullaitivu District Secretary, was attended by a number of parties including Divisional Secretaries, relevant government officials and representatives of fisheries organizations. The meeting received extensive participation from all affiliated institutions of the Ministry of Fisheries, as well as other departments and institutions related to the fisheries industry.
Representatives of fisheries organizations, focused specially on the damages caused by Indian fishing vessels. In addition, views were exchanged on engaging in fishing activities without licenses, the use of prohibited nets (purse seines-surukku) and prohibited fishing operations, destructive methods such as use of dynamite and using light coarse fishing methods. It was pointed out that light coarse fishing methods destroy even small fish fry, thus damaging future resources.
Furthermore, many major environmental problems such as damage to the coast due to the use of tractors in the traditional dragnet fishing industry and sand mining, were also revealed.
Responding to these problems, Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage emphasized that all illegal fishing activities that have occurred so far will be immediately and completely stopped. He also said that steps will be taken to curb these illegal activities by involving the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Police and the Navy. In particular, a request was made to further increase the efforts of the Navy to control illegal fishing activities by Indian vessels.
Development Programmes in Mullaitivu Fisheries Industry
During the past year, activities such as cleaning the Nandikadal Lagoon and Nayaru Lagoon have been carried out to improve the fisheries industry in the Mullaitivu area. In the presentation of the Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries, the need for further cleaning of the lagoons and scientific deepening was emphasized.
In addition, the problems faced by fishermen such as the lack of a lighthouse, the need to issue land and deeds for the dragnet fishing system, and the need for a bunker station for fishing vessels were also discussed. The Deputy Minister stated that necessary arrangements have been made in consultation with the Petroleum Corporation for a bunker station. Several major roads have been developed from the 2025 allocations, and the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries stated that financial allocations should be made for the development of lagoons in the future from the 2026 budget, and development plans such as marking the boundaries of the lagoons, establishing community-based participation committees, and scientifically releasing fish fry should be implemented.
Institutions such as the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management (CCD) also participated in this meeting, and the need for a special methodology for the proper disposal of garbage was emphasized.
The Deputy Minister specifically explained the proposed loan scheme that will provide credit facilities up to five hundred thousand rupees to fishermen and women who engaged in the fishing industry to find new sources of income and develop businesses, and invited everyone to apply for it.
The District Fisheries Coordination Committee is expected to meet regularly once every three months in the future. The Ministry said that the fishermen will be given the opportunity to address their common problems to the relevant officers (Assistant Director, Planning Officer) and get solutions.
The meeting was attended by the Mullaitivu Chief Government Agent, Mullaitivu Additional Government Agent, all Divisional Secretaries, representatives of the Sri Lanka Police,Army and Navy. In addition, officials from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA), Fishery Harbours Corporation (CFHC), Cey-Nor Institute, NorthSea Institute, Department of Fisheries, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resources Management Department (CCD), all of which operate under the Ministry of Fisheries and representatives of fisheries organizations, were also present.
