WHAT IS BEHIND THE ISSUE OF SEINE NETS IN FISHERY?
PS member says seine nets have been in use for over 50 years
Fishermen who are engaged in off-shore fishing in the Kalpitiya Lagoon using ‘cage nets’ staged a protest in front of Kalptiya Divisional Secretariat against the seizing of their nets and other fishing gear by the Sri Lanka Navy and fisheries officials. They said a set of cage nets was valued at more than Rs.150,000 and that the officials had seized about 1000 nets. They pointed out that because they were not in a position to purchase mechanized boats and other expensive fishing gear for deep sea fishing they had taken to offshore fishing using cage nets.
Praseshiya Sabha Member Jude Emmanuel said, “This mode of fishing has been the livelihood of
Cage nets with holes less than 11mm. destroyed small fish affecting the growth of fish populations
hundreds of fishermen in the area for over 50 years. They have pawned their jewellery and even mortgaged their houses to find money to purchase nets. If cage net fishing is prohibited, the fishermen affected should be provided alternative employment. They are placed in a predicament now due to the arbitrary step taken by the authorities. The gov- ernment should take a decision in this regard.”
Meanwhile the fishermen were of the opinion that the officials had taken this step to seize cage nets at the instigation of prominent personalities who favoured fish merchants owning multi-day fishing craft and other sophisticated fishing gear. However, the Asst. Director of Fisheries, Puttalam, Anura Jayasekara said the use of cage nets or purse seine nets had been prohibited by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 2 of 1996. He said cage nets with holes less than 11mm. destroyed small fish and that it resulted in extensive damage to fish populations. He pointed out that the relevant legislation should be amended if the use of cage nets or purse seine net is to be permitted.