The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has issued an urgent warning advising small fishing vessels and one-day fishing boats to refrain from going to sea from Matara to Pottuvil due to dangerous sea conditions.
The warning was issued following a strong wind advisory released by the Department of Meteorology today (09).
According to the advisory, wind speeds in the sea area extending from Matara through Hambantota to Pottuvil could increase up to 70 kmph at times, causing the seas to become rough to very rough.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said the prevailing conditions pose a serious threat to coastal fishing activities and strongly advised small vessels engaged in coastal and one-day fishing not to venture into the affected waters.
Fishing vessels departing from other areas have also been urged to avoid fishing within the high-risk sea zone extending from Matara to Pottuvil, even if no hazardous conditions have been reported in their respective areas.
The Department urged all fishermen to remain alert to prevailing weather conditions and subsequent weather advisories and to strictly follow safety instructions to ensure their safety while at sea.
