Illegal fisheries: red card for SL

14 October 2014 10:34 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In its fight against illegal fishing activities worldwide, the European Commission (EC) has today proposed to ban imports of fisheries products from Sri Lanka to tackle the commercial benefits stemming from illegal fishing.

Issuing a statement, the EC said that the move comes after four years of intense dialogue with the country after which it could not demonstrate that it sufficiently addressed illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In contrast, the Commission today confirmed that Belize, Fiji, Panama, Togo and Vanuatu, which had received warnings at the same time as Sri Lanka, have successfully taken measures to tackle illegal fishing. Consequently, the Commission proposes to lift the trade measures imposed in March this year against Belize.

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said: "Our policy of resolute cooperation is yielding results. Five countries receive today our appreciation for getting serious on illegal fishing. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Sri Lanka. I hope that the message we are sending today will be a wake-up call for this country."

According to the Commission's assessment, Sri Lanka has not sufficiently addressed the shortcomings in its fisheries control system identified in November 2012. The main weaknesses include shortcomings in the implementation of control measures, a lack of deterrent sanctions for the high seas fleet, as well as lacking compliance with international and regional fisheries rules.

As a result, the Commission tables a ban on fisheries products caught by Sri Lankan vessels being imported into the EU. In order to avoid disrupting ongoing commercial contracts, the full trade measures will only come into force in mid-January 2015, which is three months after the decision is published in the EU's Official Journal.

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Comments - 24

Suq Madique Tuesday, 14 October 2014 10:53 AM

We should thank the Chinese fishing boats operating under SL flag for this.

indi Tuesday, 14 October 2014 10:57 AM

What is legal in Srilanka.

Renu Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:14 AM

Restrictions are on there way sanctions are coming from EU

ABC Wednesday, 15 October 2014 06:15 AM

Nothing to be alrarmed. How much revenue we get from EU for fisheries This problem is nothing to do with SL fishermen. Illegal fishing is done by Saksias brothers from TN in our waters. via DM Android App

Saskia Wednesday, 15 October 2014 09:55 AM

Northern fishermen are already affected. Most of the fishermen who are active in north and east are not Tamils. So, this will not affect them anymore.

sataro Tuesday, 14 October 2014 04:51 PM

part of santion via DM Android App

mack Wednesday, 15 October 2014 10:17 AM

we in SL also have to buy 250g fish for Rs 280 to Rs 300 with all these illegal fish being caught by our ministry via DM Android App

Saskia Wednesday, 15 October 2014 10:00 AM

Are u blaming china for this? I thought China is your best mate. he he..

Aso san Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:27 AM

Sri Lanka is too busy fishing Indian fishermen.

ashley Wednesday, 15 October 2014 10:25 AM

Keep our super heathy fish to the nation only . Let EU eat there hormone bloated meat and suffer from ill health . GAME WARAKA GAME KAPUTATA.

SL Fan Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:32 AM

Who is European Comission?? whi cares about them !! do what ever you want. :))

Asrar Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:34 AM

If you want Cheap Tuna yes you have to go to Africa open their market
Sri Lanka can sell all our catch to Japan and rest to China

EU did the same with our garment industry with GST what happened we all died

Saskia Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:37 AM

He he...what a slap to SL.

manoj Tuesday, 14 October 2014 11:43 AM

Good job, nobody should benefit from ill-legal mean..

Peace Loving Citizen Wednesday, 15 October 2014 10:17 AM

We have China and Russia to buy all our fish. Who cares about EU.

upul Wednesday, 15 October 2014 11:17 AM

Not only fish. They buy our boats , everything.

mount Tuesday, 14 October 2014 06:20 PM

WE ARE NOW FALLEN FROM TREE......

Duminda Wednesday, 15 October 2014 02:54 AM

Hello, please look at Russian market opening now......... Need not to depend on EU as EU always let down other nations.. Those still want to export to EU will go to hell.........

The God Father Wednesday, 15 October 2014 03:26 AM

Let's hope this brings down the local fish price down.

CHANDARASOMA Wednesday, 15 October 2014 03:28 AM

[quote name="ABC"]Nothing to be alrarmed. How much revenue we get from EU for fisheries This problem is nothing to do with SL fishermen. Illegal fishing is done by Saksias brothers from TN in our waters. via DM Android App[/quote]
AGREED......Nothing to be alrarmed

Suq Madique Wednesday, 15 October 2014 03:39 AM

It will affect your northern brothers also.

Nihal Amarasekera Wednesday, 15 October 2014 03:45 AM

Start fishing in troubled and illegal waters.

Chandran Wednesday, 15 October 2014 03:47 AM

Traitor Saskia wait till you get the slap from somebody soon!

Roshan Wednesday, 15 October 2014 03:56 AM

[quote name="Asrar"]If you want Cheap Tuna yes you have to go to Africa open their market
Sri Lanka can sell all our catch to Japan and rest to China

EU did the same with our garment industry with GST what happened we all died[/quote]
International norms should be respected.

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Illegal fisheries: red card for SL

Comments - 24

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