Lanka looses Rs. 9 b annually due to illegal Indian fishing

Sri Lanka loses over Rs. 9 billion annually due to the illegal fishing by Indian fishermen, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said in a statement yesterday.

The statement also said that the Government is incurring a weekly loss of 6 billion metric tons of fish to Indian fishermen.

According to the Ministry, around 5000 Indian fishing boats enter Sri Lankan waters at least three times a week, which results in huge losses for the Government.

However, Amaraweera said the number of Indian fishing boats entering Sri Lankan waters have reduced by close to 50% compared to previous years due to the strict legal provisions of the Sri Lankan Government. 

Boats violating regulations have been taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy, and no equipment has been released since 2015, the Minister stated.  

The minister claimed that Indian fishermen who were arrested have been released on humanitarian grounds, but their boats and equipment have been confiscated by the Sri Lankan Government. 

Amaraweera further said that the Sri Lankan Government has conducted several discussions with the Indian Government to point out the disadvantages of illegal fishing, and that the Indian Government has accepted the Sri Lankan position. 

He said another major discussion with Indian Government will be held next year on 2 January.