Tough fine system for violating SL’s maritime boundary  

By Shanika Sriyananda

In an attempt to control illegal maritime entries into the country’s waters, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development will introduce a tough fine system for all the vessels, including illegal fishing boats, which violate the International Martime Boundary Line (IMBL) of Sri Lanka, soon.

The Ministry has already drafted a set of proposals including a fine system and new penalties for offences committed in the country’s IMBL.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera told the Daily FT that the proposed amendments to the Fisheries’ and Aquatic Resources Act 2 of 1996 have been sent to the Attorney General’s Department.

“With an increasing number of incidents of illegal activities, including illegal fishing, taking place in our waters, the Ministry has proposed to introduce a tough fine system to protect the country from any external threat coming from the sea,” he said.

Minister Amaraweera said that the new fine system would not be a move against India but would be applied to any vessel from any country which would violate the country’s maritime law.

According to Minister Amaraweera, the proposed fine system is prepared following the internationally accepted maritime fine system.

The minimum fine for violating the country’s IMBL would be Rs. 300,000 and it should be paid in US dollars, he said.

“We are taking those who are in the vessels or boats into custody while confiscating their fishing gear and boats or vessels. But now the owners will be fined if they have crossed the country’s territorial waters,” he noted.

Heavy poaching in the country’s waters by Tamil Nadu fishermen has increased despite measures taken by the Government to discourage these activities.