| dc.description.abstract | Abstract –This paper discusses the mechanism of the national legal framework for combatting IUU fishing and suggests strategic improvements based on fishers’ attitudes on compliance. A questionnaire was prepared and forwarded to the legal department of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) to get an
insight on the current law implementation mechanism to combat IUU fishing at national level. A separate questionnaire was forwarded to groups of fishermen in Kudawella, Dondra, Kalpitiya and Cod-Bay fishing harbors to observe the level of their attitudes on compliance. Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Act No 2 of 1996 is the main legal instrument that regulates fishing operations in the Sri Lankan EEZ. No 35 of 2013 amendment and certain extraordinary gazettes assert the rules for fishing operations in the high seas. Push net, moxy net, monofilament net, gill net and trammel net on coral reefs have been pronounced as illegal fishing methods in Sri Lanka. High seas fishing operations are monitored by Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and log books. (VMS), catch data regulations, and high seas fishing operation regulations are among the major regularity measures. There are awareness programs organized by the DFAR to enhance the level of awareness of fishermen on compliance. Poaching of Sri Lankan fishermen in other countries EEZs could be limited, due to the availability of new technological and navigational equipment to identify the position of the boats.
However, the number of cases of violations has been increased within the last three years. In 2015, Sri Lankan export fisheries were banned by the EU, due to the records of IUU fishing by Sri Lankan fishermen. Miscommunication and unawareness of fishermen, unavailability of sufficient VMS systems, lack of proper mechanism for making complains and technicality of the compliance procedure may hinder the expectations of effort to combat IUU fishing. Increased number of VMS boats, onboard inspectors, enhancing the communication between fishermen and the DFAR are viable solutions to increase the level of compliance. Poaching of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan EEZ is a major threat to the sustainability of fish stocks in the areas under national jurisdictions, which needs proper monitoring and surveillance to control. | en_US |
