News
Tough new action against owners of poaching vessels
View(s):By S. Rubatheesan
In a fresh approach to counter Indian bottom trawlers from engaging in illegal fishing activities in the northern waters, the Fisheries Ministry has decided to prosecute the owners of the poaching vessels, in addition to the current practice of taking legal action against only skippers and the crew.
“We hope this step will deter their illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters. Moreover, those fishermen [Indian] should be made aware of trespassing into our waters by their respective authorities,” Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department Director General S.J. Kahawatta told the Sunday Times.
Currently, Indian fishermen who are arrested and found guilty of engaging in bottom trawling, a fishing method banned in the country, are released after being handed a two-year suspended imprisonment by magistrate courts and a stern warning from a judge not to venture into the Sri Lankan sea again.
Under the Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act, No. 59 of 1979, legal action can be instituted against the master, owners, and crew. If a foreign vessel is seized, a notice can be issued to the owner through the diplomatic mission of that particular country.
Accordingly, the owners of Indian bottom trawlers are to be named as the first accused in those cases, and notices will be issued to them by the courts via the Foreign Ministry to appear in person.
Last month alone, 64 Indian fishermen were taken into custody for poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Ten of their mechanised bottom trawlers were also seized and are in state custody. All of them were released this week except one fisherman. He was found to be repeating the offence and was sentenced to two years in jail by the Kayts Magistrate’s Court.
The jailed fisherman from Rameshwaram was arrested on April 2 last year and released with a warning. He was among the 22 fishermen who were taken into custody on October 28.
The Kayts Magistrate ordered that summons be issued to the vessel owners via the Foreign Ministry to appear before the court on February 12 next year along with necessary documentation.
Meanwhile, 22 fishermen from Pamban in Tamil Nadu were taken into custody by the Navy yesterday. Two of their vessels were seized.
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