Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Department will issue permits to fishermen for madal fishing in the near future. A Gazette notification will be issued in this regard, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.
He was speaking at the 35th Annual General Meeting of the All- Island Madal Fishermen Society at the Community Hall in Udappuwa recently. All- Island Madal Fishermen Society President Rev Fr. Lester Joseph Nonis was present.
“No broker fees need to be paid to obtain permits to carry out madal fishing. Permits will be given only to genuine fishermen,” Senaratne said.
He said when the Gazette notification is ready, fishermen’s problems will be sorted.
“There will not be any confusion over this because no permits will be issued to anyone except genuine fishermen. A good example is St John’s fish market at Pitakotte where no monopoly is allowed,” the minister said.
He said madal fishing was banned earlier, as some were using madal which was not permitted.
“We have granted permission to use traditional madal now,” the minister said.
“I will not allow any prohibited fishing nets to be used in fishing. I have given specific instructions to the authorities to strictly adhere to this rule because unscrupulous fishermen were intent on mass-scale fishing. Varieties of fish including small fish and prawn fry will deplete due to over-fishing,” the minister said.
“They never think of the following day but are impelled to catch fish wholesale,” the minister added.
He said there were ample employment opportunities in the island but unfortunately, many sought greener pastures overseas.
“Some who go to the Middle – East to find lucrative jobs have harrowing experiences,” he said adding, it is unfortunate that many youths are not willing to engage in madal fishing.
Madal fishermen contribute to the development of the fisheries industry while producing around 35 percent out of the total annual fish harvest, Minister Senaratne said.
According to the special Gazette notification No 337/48 of February 21, 1985 there are 775 madal fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka and at present 819 madal fisheries harbours are functioning with another 44 new madal harbours established in Batticaloa and Vakarai, he said.
“The traditional madal industry provides nutritious fish for our daily consumption. Therefore, measures will be taken to encourage the industry,” he said.
The All- Island Madal Fishermen Society handed over a document to the minister comprising 20 points proposed on the changes in the rules and regulations related to madal fishing.
They said over 400,000 people depend on madal fishing directly and indirectly.
2013 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.