Govt. to import bait fish for tuna fishing

• Longline-caught tuna is considered high quality and sustainably harvested, enabling Sri Lanka to secure premium prices in international markets

Sri Lanka will begin importing milk fish as bait for tuna longline fishing following a Cabinet decision aimed at addressing a critical shortage of bait fish used by the country’s multi-day fishing fleet. The decision was taken after the Cabinet of Ministers considered a proposal submitted by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources, highlighting the growing gap between demand and local supply of bait fish required for longline fishing, a method widely used to catch high-value tuna species in deep-sea waters. 

At present, around 2,200 multi-day fishing vessels operate in Sri Lanka using longline fishing gear, which relies on small fish such as milk fish, ribbon fish, flying fish and cuttlefish as bait. The sector requires approximately 8,000 metric tons of bait fish annually, but domestic production meets only about 4,000 metric tons, creating a significant shortfall.  

Longline-caught tuna is considered high quality and sustainably harvested, enabling Sri Lanka to secure premium prices in international markets. To ensure the continuity of these operations, the Cabinet approved temporary tariff relief on imported milk fish until local production, including planned private-sector-supported milk fish farming, becomes sufficient.  

Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the introduction of a new Harmonized System (HS) code for the import of milk fish. Imports will be permitted exclusively through registered fishing societies to ensure proper regulation and use.   In addition, a special commodity levy of Rs. 180 per kilogram will be imposed on imported Wekkaya fish, replacing the existing tariff structure. From this levy, a tax concession of Rs. 130 per kilogram will be granted to fishing societies importing Wekkaya fish.