No shortage of fish harvest or price hike due to ban on tractor-assisted gillnet fishing: Fisheries DG

Colombo, Feb. 9 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of protests after banning the use of tractor winches in gillnet fishing industry, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Susantha Kahawatta said today that the ban will not create any shortage in fish harvest or hike in prices of fish.

He told a news conference that 60,000 fishing boats, including multi-day fishing trawlers, Fiberglass fishing boats with outboard engines and traditional fishing boats, contribute mainly to Sri Lanka's fish harvest.

He said this responding to a question whether banning the use of tractor winches in the gillnet fishing industry will lead to a shortage of fish harvest and a price increase, as claimed by those engaged in the industry.

The Director General said 60,000 fishing boats, including more than 5,000 multi-day fishing trawlers, 30,000 Fiberglass fishing boats with outboard engines and traditional fishing boats that are engaged in the fishing industry, make a contribution to the fish harvest, while the traditional gillnet fishing industry also contributes to some extent.

He said no new laws have been enacted or amended existing laws on gillnet fishing industry, but the regulations introduced in 1984 have been strictly enforced.