Steps have been taken to establish district-level committees to curb illegal fishing activities and unlawful operations involving fishing vessels.

Accordingly, district committees are scheduled to be established in 15 fishing districts, including Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, and Mannar. The Director General of Fisheries and the respective District Secretary of each district will serve as co-chairpersons of these committees.

A special discussion on this matter was held yesterday (25) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Rathna Gamage, and Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara.

The committees will comprise the District Secretary, District Assistant Director of Fisheries, the Fisheries Coordinating Officer appointed by the Minister of Fisheries, relevant representatives of fisheries associations, and representatives from the Sri Lanka Police, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, and the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA).

It was also agreed during the meeting to involve officials from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and other relevant institutions as required.

Furthermore, particular attention was paid to formulating measures to prevent fish poaching in the sea areas off the Eastern Province and to protect those engaged in the fishing industry from accidents.