News
Fisheries Minister to discuss Mullaitivu fishermen’s woes
View(s):Fisheries Minister Vijithamuni Soyza is to meet today fishermen in Mullaitivu who have been protesting for over a week demanding urgent intervention against illegal fishing activities carried out by both local fishermen and fishermen from other districts.
The small-scale fishermen who use traditional methods along the Mullaitivu coastal areas allege that the Fisheries Department has issued at least 25 conditional permits to use purse seine nets – a prohibited fishing method.
According to the fishermen, those who secured conditional permission to use purse seine nets violated the regulations imposed by using dynamite in deep sea fishing and engaging in fishing near coastal areas.
Mullaitivu fishermen also allege that fishermen from Puttalam, Pothuvil, Pullmottai in Trincomalee come to the waters around Kokkilai, Naayaaru and Kokkuthoduvaai of Mullaitivu to fish, and that they use illegal methods banned by the Fisheries Ministry.
The Director General, Fisheries Department, Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara, whose office is tasked with issuing new fishing permits, said that he and Minister Soyza will meet the Mullaitivu fisherfolk today and try to resolve their concerns.
Thirugnatheepam Anthony, President of Mullaithivu district Fisheries Cooperatives Federation told the Sunday Times that the livelihood of more than 5,200 small-scale fisherfolk families have been affected severely due to illegal fishing carried out by over 200 fishermen from various areas.
“What we ask the Fisheries Department is not to issue any new fishing licenses to those who use illegal fishing methods, and the Navy and department officials to take stern action against those who violate the law,” Anthony said.
Fishermen who use illegal methods for fishing not only cause severe harm to the marine resources but also to the limited fish populations small-scale fishermen cultivate near the coastal area. Various methods of illegal fishing activities such as purse seine, dynamite and light coarse fishing methods have been carried out at the expense of their livelihood.
Mullaithivu fishermen allege that those who engage in purse seine come closer to shore in the night with big lights in order to attract fish. Once the fish – including the breeding fish banks – are lured, they use dynamite in mid-sea to kill them to use as bait for sought-after big fish varieties. Small-scale fishermen closer to shore are left with nearly nothing as fish bank is either dispersed or depleted.