Fisheries Management Division
Sri Lanka’s fisheries management emphasizes sustainable use and conservation of marine resources through robust regulations overseen by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR). Community engagement is promoted through local management initiatives, aiming to balance socio-economic needs with environmental conservation for current and future generations.
Functions
The following functions are performed by the division for achieving the above objective.
Formulation and implementation of fisheries regulations
Registration of fishing vessels
Mortgaging of fishing vessels
Issue of fisheries operational licences
Issue of fish landing permits for foreign vessels
Issue of import, export and re-export permits for ornamental fish
Issue of permits for catching, possession, transportation and export of beach de-mer and lobsters
Issue of permits for transportation and export of chanks, sea shells and shark fins
Registration of Beach Seine Harbours and owners and issue of permits for beach seines
Issue of identity cards for fishermen
Repatriation of fishermen stranded at high seas and apprehended in foreign countries
Provision of dry rations for affected fisher families
Establishment of Fisheries Management Areas, Fisheries Committees and authorities and formulation and implementation of Fisheries Development Management Plans through the said institutions
Establishment of fisheries organizations and fishery management committees at landing sites, divisional secretariat and provincial level and national level committees, and formulation and implementation of fisheries development plans through them
Training of multi day boat skippers
Collection and analysis of data on fisheries industry & fisher folk
Resolving disputes in fisheries sector
Making the boat owners, skippers and fleet engaged in high seas fishing operations aware of the rules and the conventions relating to the regional agreements
Making the fishermen and boat owners engaged in coastal fishing activities aware of the strategies and rules for a responsible fisheries industry
Training and making aware of the fisheries officers and other stakeholders about the rules and regional conventions relating to the high seas and coastal fisheries industry.
Division Structure
