Use of mechanical boats banned to engage in prawn fishing

By Don Asoka Wijewardena

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne blasted 90 wealthy fish businessmen in the Gampaha district for launching a baseless agitation campaign on July 1 demanding they be allowed to use mechanical boats to catch prawns. These businessmen had instigated school children and a few fishermen in Elakanda to agitate against the prohibition of such boats to catch prawns. When the news of the agitation reached Defense Secretary Gotabahaya Rajapaksa, he had asked the Navy to allow the prawn fishermen to engage in their work as usual.

Thereafter Minister Rajitha Senaratna met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed the dangers of using mechanical boats for prawn fishing. After studying the harmful effects of using mechanical boats the President had confirmed the ban of mechanical boats for prawn fishing. The fishermen on the instruction of a few businessmen had used mechanical boats though there was a ban on such practice being in place, he said.

Minister Senaratne told The Island that the report that around 3,500 fishing families in Wattala and Negombo areas were using mechanical boats and casting nets to catch prawns was false. It was a misleading report because there were 4,333 fishing boats in Gampaha and Negombo areas and only 135 mechanical boats were used to catch prawns and they belonged to 90 rich fish businessmen. Around 8,600 fishing families were living in the Negombo area and there were about 9,500 active fishermen in the area.

He pointed out that the 90 businessmen were the only people who had been using destructive methods to catch fish. The other fishermen were using correct fishing gear for fishing. Some politicians had also become pawns of rich fish dealers and they had allowed rich businessmen to carry out any method for fishing.

Minister Senaratne added that using mechanical boats for fishing was prohibited, but the 90 fish businessmen with political influence were using them. Stern action would be taken against those businessmen who were trying to capitalize on the situation.

Source: http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=29716