COVID scare force govt to cancel permits to collect Sea Cucumbers & Conch Shells

The Government has decided to cancel the temporary diving permits issued to collect sea cucumbers and conch shells due to a COVID scare.
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A cabinet note explaining the reasons said the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic  Resources issues a particular diving permit to collect Sea Cucumbers and Conch Shells in the western coast of Jaffna peninsula. Accordingly, the diving teams engage in such activities while
residence temporarily on the coast of the area.

It has been reported that some divers who have obtained permits for this
purpose are abusing the perr*its and engaging in illegal act with Indian
fishermen who engage in fisiring by trawlers  in the maritime bor"rndary, it said

Therefore, It has  been observed that there is a huge threat to spread the Covid
19 pandemic among the people of Jaffna peninsula.

 Accordingly the  Cabinet granted the approval for the proposal tabled by the Minister of Fisheries for temporary cancellation of diving permits issued to collect Sea Cucumbers and Conch Shells.