Monday, 29 September 2014 00:00
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Time is running out for Sri Lanka’s fishing industry. Sri Lanka has been given a further three-month extension to fulfil obligations imposed by the European Union to prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices or face a ban on fish exports to EU countries. This is a situation that has been exacerbated by the Sri Lanka Government’s own incompetence.
According to reports, the EU deadline comes in the wake of reports that Chinese craft among the vessels operating under the Sri Lankan flag have been responsible for IUU fishing, thereby putting the country’s fishing industry at stake. This is a ridiculous situation as the Sri Lankan Government has a responsibility to ensure that they issue licenses only to operators who meet international standards, especially when they are already under the “yellow card” shadow.
Fisheries Minster Dr. Rajitha Senanayake is much respected as a straight-talking politician. Yet his reputation fails to stand up under the point highlighted by the EU. After holding many rounds of discussions with the EU and putting in place many regulations for local fishermen, the Government has dropped the ball on Chinese operators.
At least eight Chinese vessels were recently given approval to operate under Sri Lanka’s flag. By December the Chinese vessels must meet the conditions which include the monitoring of fishing vessels entitled to operate under Sri Lanka’s flag.
A report issued on Sri Lanka’s fishing by the EU notes licences are currently issued by Sri Lanka without a predetermined procedure in a non-systematic way. It says Sri Lanka has failed to discharge its duties under international law with respect to international rules, regulations and conservation and management measures.
Sri Lanka has failed to monitor Lankan flagged fleets operating in the high seas because of inadequate inspection and serious problems in reporting data to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). This undermines the country’s capacity to exercise its obligations as the flag state.
It goes on to say increased sanctions on IUU infringements could be considered as a deterrent only for a part of the Sri Lankan fleet of large scale vessels above 24 metres in length, while the sanctions foreseen by the new Fisheries Act, which is applicable to this part of the fleet, cannot be considered a deterrent. The report says the fine of Rs. 1.5 million cannot be considered effective in securing compliance.
Following a decision in 2012, Sri Lanka’s fishing vessels were due to be fitted with VMS requirements, but the vessels have not been fitted with such equipment and therefore another condition had not been fulfilled, the report says. The failure to provide timely information on statistics, VMS, catch and transhipment in port also undermines international regulations, the report adds. With respect to the compliance, Sri Lanka had not submitted some of the required information on statistics or on some conservation and management measures this year.
China’s huge influence in Sri Lanka together with inherent weaknesses in the country’s institutions could cost local fishermen the most lucrative fish market in the world. Rampant corruption, lack of transparency, weak legislation and incompetence is part and parcel of the Government. Yet the costs are high.
Sri Lanka is already locked in an endless tussle with Indian fishermen and if the EU market also closes its doors because of the faults of the Government, then not only will Sri Lanka lose valuable foreign exchange earnings, but any impetus to save the environment will also be lost. The net is closing rapidly and it appears the Government is content to let it.
