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105 seized Indian bottom trawlers to be auctioned next month
View(s):The Fisheries Department is to dispose of some 105 Indian bottom trawlers, seized in the past for engaging in bottom trawling in Sri Lankan sea, at a public auction next month after legal proceedings concluded, according to a senior official from the department.
The trawlers detained in Karainagar (65), Kankesanthurai (5), Kiranchi (24), Talaimannar (9), and Kalpitiya (2) will be auctioned on February 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively.
Fisheries Department Director General S. J. Kahawatta told the Sunday Times that the decision was taken to auction them since those boats are partially damaged or not in a decent condition for use.
“In addition to that, these trawlers have been anchored in Navy jetties for years and have become breeding grounds for dengue. We need to write off these crafts from our book since the court proceedings concluded a long time ago,” the Director General said.
Relevant District Fisheries departments have already commenced the valuation process of the seized trawlers with the assistance of Marine Engineers ahead of a public auction next month.
According to the public notice issued by the department, any individual needs to pay Rs 1000 to enter into the auction premises and will be allowed to inspect the crafts at the location from january 31 to February 5.
The potential buyers will also need to submit a request to the District Assistant Director of Fisheries for coordination of prior approval from the Navy. The buyer also needs to pay twenty percent of the total amount at the conclusion of the auction and the remaining amount should be paid within five working days.
In 2017, an Indian delegation consisting of fishermen and authorities visited the North to retrieve 12 trawlers that were seized by the Sri Lankan Navy.
To stop bottom trawling, the Fisheries Department last October issued a directive to District Assistant Directors, advising them to implement the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No 2 of 1996 and Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act No 59 of 1979 as amended in 2017 and 2018.
Under the newly amended provisions in 2018, any foreign vessels that enter into Sri Lankan waters and engage in fishing without a permit can be seized as declared a state property.
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