The awareness raising program on the proposed Fisheries Act 2023 was conducted with the facilitation of Mullai Difso on 16th December at Mullaitivu.
The sessions were conducted by lawyers as resource persons and highlighted the main critical points in the drafted fisheries bill.
The structure of the bill.
The drafted fisheries bill has 12 chapters with 180 Clauses whereas the Fisheries Management Act no 2 of 1996 has only 66 Clauses.
The proposed bill has 3 annexes including penalties and fines.
* Permits to Foreign fishing vessels-40th clause
* Import fishing vessels which destroy local boat building industry-16th clause
* Eliminate the powers to provincial councils while concentrating powers in the hands of Director General of Fisheries- 4th & 6th Clauses,
* Propose Quota System to limit the catch of local fishers,-78th Clause
* Fisheries minister has the powers to ban some of the fishing practices, -81st clause
* Penalties and Fines - Annexed 3
The participants proposed various actions to oppose the drafted
fisheries act as Cooperative societies, women, youth and individuals.
They said,
No to drafted bill,
No to Foreign fishing vessels in our waters,
No to big fines to SSF,
Draft a new bill with the participation of experienced fishers, No to Top Down Development.
