STF assistance will be sought to prevent illegal fishing activities – Minister
STF assistance will be sought to prevent illegal fishing activities in the sea and in the reservoirs where fresh water fishing is carried out, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said.
Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda who chaired the meeting of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee of the Fisheries Ministry held on November 14 in Parliament, stated that he would take measures to seek assistance for the officials of the Fisheries Department, from the Police, the Navy and Police Special Task Force in order to prevent illegal fishing activities such as the use of Dynamites at sea and the illegal fresh water fishing activities in the reservoirs.
The Minister further stated that the Fisheries Department has already written to the Inspector General in this regard and he would take action to implement the programme immediately. The Minister added that the illegal fishing activities could be prevented after the implementation of this programme and the amendments to the new Fisheries Act would be made providing powers to the Officials of the Department of Fisheries and NAQDA.
Replying to a question raised by Ampara District MP Faizal Cassim regarding the establishment of Radio station at Kalmunai, the Minister stated that the work would be completed by the first quarter of next year. The Minister added that the required project for the expansion of the Valaichchenai Fisheries Harbour would be prepared. Responding to the fact put forward by the Parliamentarian stating that the fishermen are affected due to the price drop during the season when Hurulla and Salaya are harvested, the Minister instructed the Fisheries Corporation Chairman D.V. Upul to take necessary measures to purchase this fish and sell to the people under a suitable programme.
Vanni District MP Charles Nirmalanathan stated that the Indian fishermen have increased their poaching activities in the North and East. Responding to this statement the Minister stated that according to the statistics and the information received from Navy the number of poaching vessels has come down to nearly 100 and during past the number was nearly 1,000. It is clear that due his actions taken in this regard he could minimize the number of poaching vessels and he would take measures diplomatically to stop poaching activities completely.
The Minister further stated that if all the MPs from North including MP Nirmalanathan visit Tamil Nadu and meet the politicians and the leaders of Fishermen’s Associations and make them realise that this not an action of Sri Lankan Navy, but an issue faced by the local fishermen.
In the reservoirs such as Maduruoya, Mahiyanganaya, Mahaoya, Lahugala and Panama, the fresh water fish resources have been increased considerably. But the people of these areas have been severely affected, since the Wildlife Department does not allow fishing in these reservoirs. Though, he has explained the facts to the Wildlife Officials and to the Director General of Wildlife, in this regard, a solution has not been provided yet. This issue has been brought to the notice of the Deputy Director of Wildlife Department, who was present there. The Minister further instructed the relevant officials to take immediate actions to develop Kokkaddichcholai and Nandikadal lagoons. The Fisheries Harbour Corporation Chairman stated that the removal of sand from Dodanduwa, Hikkaduwa and Peraliya fisheries harbours has been stopped by now, and the action would be taken remove the sand in due course.
Expressing views the Minister stated that the State Minister is taking measures to open the marketing outlets of Fisheries Corporation in the buildings with the approval from Pradeshiya Sabhas throughout the country. The Minister has stated that he is prepared to provide opportunities for individuals who rear ornamental fish and aid and assistance can be provided through NAQDA institute.
Galle District MP Chandima Weerakkody stated that there are many tourist hotels along the coastal areas of Sri Lanka and mooring the fishing boats near these hotels may affect the Tourist Attraction of these hotels and requested the Minister to survey the coastal stretch and allocate suitable places to moor boats. Responding to the request the Minister instructed the Director General of the Fisheries Department to take action to survey the coastal stretch and allocate suitable places for mooring.
Many MPs including Puttalam District MP Chinthaka Amal Mayadunne and Vanni District MP Cader Masthan and many Fisheries Ministry Officials including Ministry Secretary Indu Rathnayake, the Secretary to the State Fisheries Ministry Anusha Gokula and the Director General of the Department of Fisheries Susantha Kahawaththa attended this Advisory Committee meeting.
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