Sri Lanka’s top officials held discussions to enhance inter-agency coordination and implement technological solutions to ensure real-time monitoring of fishing vessels with an aim to curb illegal fishing by local and foreign vessels as well as to prevent drug trafficking, the government said.

The move comes as the government has started a campaign to eradicate drug menace with large amount of drugs being trafficked through fishing vessels amid continuous poaching by Indian fishing vessels in the island nation’s Northern sea.

The high-level meeting held at the Parliament on Tuesday aimed at reviewing strategies for curbing illegal fishing and poaching activities within Sri Lanka’s waters.

“The importance of enforcing strict legal actions against violators to protect national fisheries resources and the livelihoods of legitimate fishermen was also underscored,” the Defence \Ministry said in a statement.

“The discussion focused on preventive measures, law enforcement actions, and inter-agency cooperation to effectively counter these emerging challenges.”

“Several key issues, including poaching by local and foreign fishing vessels in local waters, expediting court cases related to arrested fishing boats, the use of unauthorized radio frequencies, and non-fishing activities such as smuggling carried out under the guise of fishing were taken up for delibration at the meeting.”

Top officials of Ministries of Defence, Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Navy, police, Coast Guard, and Telecommunications Regulatory Commission were among the participants.

The meeting also paid particular attention to the practice of local fishing vessels deliberately disabling their Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to engage in unlawful fishing and illicit activities within prohibited areas.

“Participants highlighted the urgent need to strengthen maritime law enforcement, enhance inter-agency coordination, and implement technological solutions to ensure real-time monitoring of fishing vessels.”

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