Oversight Committee calls for report on impact of Indian poaching in Northern waters

A Parliament Oversight Committee has called for a report from the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries on the impact of ongoing poaching by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan territorial waters in North steps that are taken to control their illegal bottom trawling practices in the Northern sea.

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis which heard representations from Northern fishermen directed the Secretary to the Ministry to submit the report before the next meeting. 

Northern fishermen also alleged that even though the Indian fishermen are carrying out the illegal bottom trawling practice, no studies were carried out by any government authorities to determine the impact on marine resources and fish management within 24 nautical miles of territorial waters. 

Chair of the Committee Gamini Waleboda expressed concerns about the inefficiency of relevant departments over the failure to carry out any such studies so far. 

The Committee also focused on the importation of fish for value-added canned fish manufacturing process for export purposes as well. It was revealed at the meeting that some companies released canned fish stocks to local markets against the law causing significant revenue loss to the country.