Experience and the special requirements of Sri Lanka in addressing the impacts of bottom fisheries on vulnerable marine ecosystems and the long-term sustainability of deep-sea fish stocks in particular through the implementation of relevant paragraphs of resolutions 64/72 and 66/68 R.P. Prabath K. JAYASINGHE National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Colombo 15 SRI LANKA www.nara.ac.lk
Information in Brief Situated between 5 o 55 and 9 o 51 N latitude and 79 o 4 and 81 o 53 E longitude. Total land extent is about 65,610 km 2 Coast line length 1700 km Narrow continental shelf with an average width of 22 km and Area of 30,000 km 2
Fishing Industry an Overview Contribution to GDP 1.8% (2014) Provides employment 2.7 million direct & Indirect Contributes 70 % to the animal protein intake of the masses Contribution to foreign exchange earnings US$ 1,350 million (2014) Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Sri Lanka
FISH PRODUCTION 2014 [CATEGORY NAME] 75,750 Mt [CATEGORY NAME] 180,450 Mt [CATEGORY NAME] 278,850 Mt Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Sri Lanka
Fleet composition in 2014 Boat Type Number Inboard Multiday 4,477 Inboard One-day 876 Outboard FRP 23,982 Non motorized traditional 21,963 Motorized traditional 2,720 Inland Craft 8,536 Total 62,524 Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Sri Lanka
Fisheries Management Current fisheries management and administration formed with the creation of a Department of Fisheries in 1940. Introduction of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No 02 of 1996 Main objectives Management, Conservation, Regulation and Development of the fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka.
Resolution 64/72
113. Actions taken for sustainable management of fisheries National plan of Actions -2013 to prevent, deter and illuminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing Shark Fisheries Management Regulation -2015 (Banned Family Alopiidae sharks), Oceanic whitetip shark, whale shark National Inspection Plan 2015 to ensure implementation of fisheries laws and regulations in the Sri Lankan flagged vessels Maintenance of a Logbook systems for High sea and EEZ fishing
113. Actions taken for protect vulnerable marine ecosystems Declaration of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA) Mechanical trawl fishing is discouraged (No operating licenses are issued) Banned bottom set gillnets and bottom longlines around coral reefs Banning of explosive fishing and impose heavy penalties No fishing areas are declared
117. Work carried out for management of deep sea/high seas fisheries Establishment of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) High Seas Fishing circular 2015 Issuing special operating license for high seas fishing activities Introduction of logbook data collection Strengthen the port sampling activities On board observer program for high seas is suggested
119. Actions taken for sustainability of nontarget species Development of the Sri Lanka National Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (SLNPOA-Sharks) Making compulsory to carry equipment to release nontarget species when accidently caught eg: Turtle releasing device (D-cutters) Promote longlines rather than use of gillnets Awareness programs for public to minimize the entanglement sea birds, turtles and marine mammals
123. Strengthen of data collection standards and research for identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems, impacts on ecosystems and reduce non-target species Mapping of Sea bed specially vulnerable marine habitats (corals, sea grass beds, fishing grounds) Usage of satellite data for habitat identification Sensitive habitats identification Starting species level data collection for sharks Mapping of nesting beaches of turtles
124. Establishment of national jurisdiction to regulate bottom fisheries Banned several fishing gears including mechanical trawling Closure seasons for lobster fishery Size restrictions for some species Formulation of fisheries management plans for export oriented fisheries
Resolution 66/68
121. Applications of precautionary approach and ecosystem approaches Awareness programs for precautionary approach Ecosystem based approaches are encouraged. Research has been focused for management of fish stocks using these approaches
130.How publicly available for all impact assessments Media conferences National workshops Scientific sessions Stakeholders meetings Awareness programs Several impact assessment reports are available online
131. Usage of mapping and research for conservation or management of vulnerable marine ecosystems and fish stocks Fisheries Management plans Implementation of regulations (closure areas/ closure seasons) Declaration of no fishing zones Construct Fisheries regulations (eg. Shark regulations)
133. Further research on target and nontarget species Fisheries data (pelagic/ demersal) collection and monitoring Log book maintenance and data synchronization Fish stock assessments Molecular studies for stock identification Finding nursery and spawning grounds Fish larval surveys Reduction of bycatches
134. Special circumstances and requirements of Sri Lanka to manage bottom fisheries The only marine resource survey was carried out in Sri Lanka in 1978-1980 Marine surveys, stock assessments have to be carried out to know potential bottom resources Technical knowhow and Financial constrains Integrated management plans are needed Data sharing is necessary in regional level Implementation of management plans are challenging
Acknowledgements Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, United Nations Financial Support given by FAO Embassy of USA, Colombo Sri Lankan Mission in UN Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka