A group of Representatives of the Fisheries Societies that engage in Beach Seine fishing industry at Mullaitivu met the Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda on 2024-02-06 at the Ministry of Fisheries, and discussed the prevailing issues when engaging in Beach Seine fishing.
At the discussion, the representatives pointed out that there is a shortage of labour for the Beach Seine industry, and requested the Minister to grant permission to use winches to pull Beach Seine. They also said that they face a lot of difficulties since there is no place to set up nets and other accessories at their landing sites. They requested the Minister to take measures to build a hall for setting up nets and an office building for their society. They further requested the Minister to take measures to prepare a suitable programme, since the limits for Netting turns change due to the migrant fishermen who come to their territory from time to time, and to issue a permanent license instead of a license valid for one year, and to provide a boat to lay nets.
Expressing views at the discussion, the Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda has said that he understands that many people are needed to pull the net to the shore when engaging in Beach Seine fishing and there is a shortage of such people. Although permission to use winches could be granted, the permission to use tractors to pull winches cannot be granted. The Minister also said that he would engage in an observation tour in these areas in the future, to look into the issues and provide solutions to them promptly. The Minister added that measures would be taken to develop the fishing industry through the decentralized funds from the budget and the attention would be focused on implementing the urgent development projects.
Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Miss. Nayana Kumari Somarathne, Director General of the Fisheries Department Mr. Susantha Kahawaththa, and a group of higher officials of the Ministry attended this event.
