The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to make the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) mandatory for approximately 1,500 fishing vessels operating in Sri Lankan waters.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, along with other illegal activities carried out using fishing vessels, including drug smuggling, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, are serious challenges faced not only by Sri Lanka but also by other countries engaged in the fisheries industry. Various measures have been taken at the local, regional and international levels to combat and suppress these activities.

Sri Lanka is a member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and under the Commission's regulations, every fishing vessel operating in international waters must be continuously monitored through a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

At present, of the 5,200 registered multi-day fishing vessels, 4,200 have been equipped with VMS devices provided under a grant from the Australian Government. Since the installation of these monitoring systems has been made mandatory for all multi-day fishing vessels registered on or after January 1, 2021, the owners of such vessels are required to purchase and install the equipment at their own expense, according to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information.

There are approximately 1,500 multi-day and one-day fishing vessels that were registered before January 1, 2021 and operate mainly in domestic waters, although some also operate in international waters. Of these, around 400 vessels measuring more than 34 feet in length are capable of operating in international waters or being used for other activities. The remaining 1,100 vessels do not have sufficient engine power or fuel capacity to remain at sea for extended periods.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources to make the installation of suitable Vessel Monitoring Systems mandatory for these 1,500 vessels, with the Government bearing the associated costs.