Key regulations on fisheries industry to be debated in P’ment tomorrow

Monday, 20 January 2020 04:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Regulations include prohibiting disposal of industrial, domestic effluents directly or indirectly in Lankan waters
Number of directives to protect fish, aquatic resources and ban use of spears in fishing ops

By Chandani Kirinde

Parliament will take up for debate tomorrow nine regulations under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act including the prohibition on disposal of industrial or domestic effluent directly or indirectly to Sri Lanka Waters.

These regulations include a number of directives to protect fish and aquatic resources in the Sri Lankan waters.

They will be presented to the House by Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Douglas Devananda under the provisions of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996.

Accordingly regulations related to disposal of any pollutant, waste or foreign matter and fill or reclaim the sea areas in a manner causing destruction to fish and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka waters, engagement in removing, cutting or altering mangrove eco systems grown in the coastal belt or in any area adjacent to the Sri Lanka Waters, engagement in any activity which causes a threat to the conservation of fish species in Sri Lanka Waters or coastal belt adjacent to it, will be presented to the Parliament. Engagement in any fishing operation using spear guns or handheld spears within Sri Lankan waters and possession or having on board any local fishing boat, any spear gun will be prohibited.

Also catching, possession, transportation, purchasing, displaying for sale, selling or exportation of several species of fish including Thambuwa (cephalopholis sonnerati) within Sri Lanka or Sri Lanka waters will be prohibited.

There are also regulations pertaining to export of fishery products, import and re-export of fish and fishery products, registration for export, import and re-export of fish or fisheries, inspection of import and fish processing establishment for export or re-export of fishery products.