Illegal/destructive fishing methods in Sri Lanka

Threats to fisheries

• Over exploitation of resources
• Use of destructive fishing practices
• Poaching by foreign vessels
• Post harvest losses
• Taking of non-target species 

Some fishing practices can have a direct negative impact on the resource, leading to subsequent decline in the resource itself and catches. The impact could also be indirect on the habitat or the ecosystem supporting the resource in which case both the resource and the habitat would be adversely affected. The rapid increase in the use of illegal methods of fishing, however, has posed a threat to the industry as it immensely affects the country's fishing resources. Fishing methods that are not provided license to operate are known as illegal modes of fishing. Illegal fishing practices will impact on long-term sustainability of the fishing industry in Sri Lanka. The common destructive fishing gear and methods prevalent in Sri Lanka’s coastal fishery include the use of explosives (dynamite fishing), operation of trammel nets and bottom set gillnets on corals and rocks and, the use of moxi nets on corals and rocks to catch ornamental fish. 

DFAR, through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996 has introduced a number of regulations for the purpose of managing, conserving and protecting fisheries resources and habitats. According to this the regulations regarding the fishing gear as follows: 

Fishing operations regulations; Ban catching, possession and sale of marine Mammels and turtles.

                                                 Ban use of push nets, Moxi nets, Gillnet/Trammel net operations on reefs                                                   and rocks, Harpooning of marine Mammels.

                                                  License system introduce for all fishing operations.

Inland Fisheries Management Regulations of 1996; Gillnets less than 85mm mesh banned, surrounding                                                                                     nets/ trammel net/ monofilament nets banned.

                                                                                    License system introduced.

Aquaculture Management Regulations of 1996; License for aquaculture operations

Fishing Gears

Moxi net 

Dynamite fishing 

Push net 

Harpooning 

Gill net or trammel net on coral reefs 

Bottom trawling at sensitive substrates 

Monofilament nets for fishing 

Stupefying substance 

Light course 

Laila and Surukku