Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has called for the discontinuation and banning of all fishing methods that harm marine eco-systems, worldwide, in particular, bottom trawling.
Participating at the Our Ocean Conference 2016, at the invitation of the US Secretary of State John Kerry, on Thursday (15), he outlined several commitments by Sri Lanka to protect oceans around Sri Lanka and beyond.
The Minister said that Sri Lanka is perhaps one of the few countries in the world where the Head of State himself holds the portfolio of Environment, given its vital importance for the country and to ensure that Sri Lanka plays its part in dealing with issues relating to climate change and environment in a responsible manner, both locally and in a global context.
He outlined commitments made by Sri Lanka under the themes – Marine Protected Areas, Marine Pollution, Sustainable Fisheries, and Climate and Ocean
“We are in the process of drafting a National Policy for Conservation and the Sustainable Utilization of Mangrove Ecosystems,” he said.
In July this year, to mark International Mangrove Day, President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated the world’s first mangrove museum in Sri Lanka.
The President has also given leadership in declaring a ‘National Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation Week’ to be observed in September every year. The first observance will take place from the 17th to the 23rd of this month.
Sri Lanka has already declared 9 Marine Protected Areas in various parts of the country, the minister said.
In addition, four new areas providing habitats for marine mammals, coral, migratory and shore birds, and other marine life will also be declared as Marine Protected Areas, shortly.
He said that by the end of this year, the government will complete the construction of a sea turtle conservation complex to treat and provide a sanctuary for injured turtles and educate and create awareness among the local communities.
“The Sea Mammals Regulations of Sri Lanka will be reviewed and amended,” Samaraweera added.
“It is in our interest to secure and ensure sustainable fishing in the country.” He said that Sri Lanka will conduct a survey of fish resources and establish a robust fisheries information system by 2018; introduce environmentally friendly fishing gear; prohibit destructive fishing gear; and introduce an effective fisheries management system through vessel monitoring and enforcement of relevant laws.
The foreign minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is committed to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
In recognition of the positive steps taken by Sri Lanka in addressing issues related to IUU fishing, the European Council, in June this year, lifted a ban imposed on the export of fisheries products from Sri Lanka, he said.
“I want to take this opportunity to call for the discontinuation and banning of all fishing methods that harm marine eco-systems, worldwide, in particular, bottom trawling.”
The Conference being held at the US State Department on 15-16 September is attended by representatives of approximately 100 countries including Heads of State and Government, Ministers, officials, academia, NGO community, leaders from the public and private sector and young people.
The Conference which was inaugurated by the US Secretary of State was addressed by the US President Barack Obama as well.
Foreign Minister Samaraweera joined a panel of speakers at the Conference, comprising the Presidents of Micronesia and Mauritius, Vice President of Panama, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas and Madagascar on the theme ‘Global Ocean Leadership’, moderated by US Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii.
Outlining commitments made by Sri Lanka under the themes – Marine Protected Areas, Marine Pollution, Sustainable Fisheries, and Climate and Ocean, the Minister called for the discontinuation and banning of all fishing methods that harm marine eco-systems, worldwide, in particular, bottom trawling.
