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Lanka gives assurances to EU on fishing
View(s):By Chris Kamalendran
Sri Lankan fishermen engaged in illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in international waters face tough penalties — but talks to resolve disputes over Indian fishermen intruding into Lankan territorial waters have been further delayed. A Sri Lankan delegation led by Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne has informed the European Union that Lankan fishermen involved in IUU fishing will be fined Rs. 1.5 million or their boats confiscated, a senior Fisheries Ministry official said.
The delegation also has given further assurances to the EU on protecting the fishing resources. This includes a system to monitor local fishing vessels and follow an annual assessment of the yield. The assurances come ahead of a meeting next month in the European Parliament where it will decide whether to impose sanctions on export of fish from Sri Lanka over the allegation of IUU fishing.
Earlier the EU issued a Yellow Card warning to Sri Lanka on IUU fishing and called for corrective steps.
Meanwhile, an Indo-Sri Lanka joint working committee meeting on fishing disputes has been postponed indefinitely, though it was to be held last month. The Sunday Times learns Minister Senaratne had sought clarification from Indian High Commission officials about the postponement of the meeting.
At least 30 Indian fishermen who intruded into Sri Lankan territorial waters and were arrested by the Navy off Mannar in February are in custody after their remand period was extended. There are also 36 Sri Lankan fishermen in Indian prisons.
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