By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Strict legal action was being taken against persons who violate the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No. 02 of 1996 by using illegal fishing vessels, equipment and transport methods, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
The Ministry had filed 563 cases against fishermen and the other supportive employees for using illegal fishing gear including tractors to haul ‘Madel’ nets, he said.
According to the ministry statistics, nearly 419 cases were filed in 2010, 144 cases were filed in 2011 and 12 new cases were filed at the end of February this year. Around 199 cases have been reported from Batticaloa, 128 from Puttalam, 56 from Trincomalee, 68 from Kalmunai, 49 from Negombo, 18 from Galle, 16 from Mannar, 14 from Tangalle, eight from Kalutara, four from Matara and 17 from Chilaw. 477 cases out of the 563 are regarding fishing with dynamite, using illegal nets and equipment. The rest relate to using of unregistered fishing boats, non-renewed fishing licenses and permits.
Dr. Senaratne also said that in addition to filing a large number of cases against wrongdoers, they have also been arrested.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa had taken immediate action to solve the problem as certain fishermen had complained to the President about the use of illegal fishing gear and the situation they faced when certain parties were using illegal vessels, he added.
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