In view of the serious negative impacts on coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of other fishing communities caused by the use of machinery in the seine fishing industry, the Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, has urged the fishing community to adhere strictly to traditional fishing practices in line with existing laws.
Commenting on protests reported in certain areas against the ban on the use of tractors and winches, Mr. Kahawatte stated that under the Madel (Beach seine) Fishing Regulations of 1984, fishing is recognized as a traditional livelihood that must be carried out solely through human labor, without the use of mechanical equipment.
” No new regulations have been introduced and the authorities are merely enforcing laws that have long been in place. The majority of 827 seine nets that are in operation in Sri Lanka, particularly the fishermen in the Southern Province, continue to engage in traditional fishing using human labor without any difficulty,” he emphasized.
Damage caused by the use of machinery:
According to the Director General, the use of winches and tractors has resulted in the following environmental and social issues:
Destruction of the seabed: The use of fishing nets exceeding the legally permitted size, along with heavy weights, has caused significant damage to coral reefs and fish breeding habitats.
Coastal erosion: The operation of heavy machinery along coastal areas has contributed to shoreline erosion and the degradation of sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Disruption to small-scale fishermen: The expansion of fishing activities beyond designated limits has obstructed the livelihoods of small-scale fishermen and owners of traditional fishing vessels.
“What is being carried out in the name of modern technology is both illegal and environmentally destructive. It is our collective duty to safeguard traditional fishing practices and protect marine resources,” Mr. Kahawatte stressed.
Accordingly, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has appealed to all net owners and fishermen to engage in the seine fishing industry within the existing legal framework, ensuring that neither the environment nor fellow fishermen are adversely affected.
