Following Regulations are enforced Section 64(a) of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No 2 of 1996

• Departure and Arrival of Mechanized Fishing Boats Regulations, No. 1 of 2023.
• Recreational Fishing Management Regulations 2023
• The Fishing Operations Regulations of 1996 (amendment in 2019)
• Regulations on Import and Export of Cultured Coral Species on Artificial Substrates Regulations No. 1 of 2023.
• Departure and Arrival of Mechanized Fishing Boats Orders No. 1 of 2023
• Implementation of Satellite based Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and other Electronic Vessel Monitoring Systems for Fishing Vessels Operating in Sri Lanka Waters and High Seas Regulations (2022)
• Collection of High Seas Regulations
  [PDF – 4 MB]   
• Registration of Fishing Boat Regulations 1980 [PDF-351KB]
• Compendium Fishing Operation Reg 1996, 2005, 2019 (II) [PDF-420KB]

Year – Before 1996
1. Fisheries Boat (mortgage) Regulations 1980 Gazette extraordinary No. 1/388 and dated 1976.09.10
2. Fisheries Boat registration Regulations 1980 Gazette extraordinary No. 109 and dated 1980.10.03
3. Madel Regulations 1984 Gazette Extraordinary No. 337/48 and dated 1985.02.21
4. Regulations of Fishing Activities in the sea adjacent to the coast of the Administrative District of Colombo and Gampaha Regulations, 1986 Gazette extraordinary No.437/46 and dated 1987.01.19

5. Purse-sein Regulations 1986 Gazette Extraordinary No. 437/46 and dated 1987.01.19

Year – 1996

1. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act No 2 of 1996

Regulations
1. The old Dutch canal and Mundal lagoon Fishing Regulations 1996 Gazette Extraordinary No. 916/11 and dated 1996.03.28
2. Chilaw Lagoon Fisheries Regulation 1996 Gazette Extraordinary No. 916/12 and dated 1996.03.28
3. The Registration of Fishing boats Regulations, 1980 {Amendment) Gazette Extraordinary No. 948/24 and dated 1996.11.07
4. Fishing Operations regulations of 1996 Gazette Extraordinary No. 948/25 and dated 1996.11.07
5. The Inland Fisheries Management Regulations of 1996 Gazette Extraordinary No. 948/25 and dated 1996.11.07
6. The Aquaculture Management Regulations 1996 Gazette extraordinary No.948/25 and dated 1996.11.07

Year – 1997

1. Landing of fish Regulations,1997 Gazette Extraordinary No. 972/4 and dated 1997.04.21

2. The Handling and Distribution of Fish Regulations,1997 Gazette Extraordinary No. 972/14 and dated 1997.04.25
3. The Fish Processing Establishment Regulations,1997 Gazette Extraordinary No. 972/14 and dated 1997.04.25
4. Fisheries Committee Regulations,1997 Gazette Extraordinary No. 972/15 and dated 1997.04.25
5. Fisheries (Information ) Regulations,1997 Gazette extraordinary No. 972/15 and dated 1997.04.25
6. Fisheries (Register) Regulations,1997 Gazette extraordinary No. 972/15 and dated 1997.04.25

Year – 1999
1. The Rekawa Lagoon Fisheries Management Area Regulations,1998 Gazette extraordinary No. 1067/4 and dated 1999.02.16
2. The Fisheries Committee Regulations,1997 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1071/20 and dated 1999.03.19
3. The Udukiriwala Reservoir, Fisheries Management Area Regulations Gazette extraordinary No. 1087/34 and dated 1999.07.09
4. The Export and Import of Live Fish Regulations,1998 (amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1098/3 and dated 1999.09.20
5. Handling and Distribution of fish Regulations,1997 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1108/5 and dated 1999.11.30

Orders
1. Order of Establishment of Negombo Lagoon Management Authority Gazette extraordinary No. 1108/4 and dated 1999.11.30

Year – 2000
1. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (amendment} Act No 4 of 2000

Regulations
1. Lobster Fisheries Management Regulations 2000 Gazette extraordinary No. 1123/2 and dated 2000.03.13
2. Fish Product (Export) Regulations (Amendment} 2000 Gazette extraordinary No. 1126/20 and dated 2000.04.06
3. Fisheries Management (Matara District, Thotamuna, Ginigasmulla} Regulations 2000 Gazette extraordinary No. 1149/3 and dated 2000.09.12
4. The Aquaculture Management (Disease Control) Regulations 2000 Gazette extraordinary No. 1155/9 and dated 2000.10.24

Year – 2001
Orders
1. Order of establishment of Udukiriwala Reservoir Fisheries Management Committee Gazette extraordinary No. 1153 /14 and dated 2001. 10.13

Regulations
l. Fishery Management (Batticaloa Lagoon ) Regulations of 2001
2. Udukirlwala Reservoir Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1185 /26 and dated 2001. 05. 25
3. Sea Shells Fisheries Management and Export Regulations 2001 Gazette extraordinary No. 1188 /3 and dated 2001. 06. 11
4. Amendment to the fish Products (Export) Regulations,1998 Gazette extraordinary No. 1203/10 and dated 2001. 09.24
5. The Regulations of the landing of fish (Species of Shark and Skates) Regulations 2001 Gazette extraordinary No. 1206/20 and dated 2001. 10.17

Order
1. Order of Madiha Polhena Coral Reef Ecosystem Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1191/6 and dated 2001. 07.02
2. Order of Bolgoda Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1193/6 and dated 2001.07.16

3. Order of Off Vala Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1194/23 and dated 2001. 07.26
4. Order of Muruthawela Reservoir Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1202 /40 and dated 2001. 09.21
5. Order of establishment of Udukiriwala Reservoir Fisheries Management Authority Gazette extraordinary No. 1183 /15 and dated 2001. 05.11
6. Order of establishment of Rakawa Lagoon Fisheries Management Authority Gazette extraordinary No. 1185 /9 and dated 2001. 05..21

Notifications
1. Notification of establishment of Rakawa Lagoon Fisheries Management Committee Gazette extraordinary No. 1176 /21 and dated 2001. 03.22

Year – 2002
1. The Fish Products (Exports) regulations 1998 (Amendment) dated 2002.04.23
2. Aquaculture (Monitoring of Residues) Regulations 2002, Gazette extraordinary No. 1237/19 and dated 2002.05.22
3. Parakrama Samudraya Fisheries Management Area Regulations 2002 Gazette extraordinary No. 1255 /24 and dated 2002.09.26

Orders
1. Order of Parakrama Samudraya declared as a Fisheries Management area Gazette extraordinary No. 1244/1 and dated 2002.07.08
2. Order of Ridiyagama Reservoir declared as a Fisheries Management area Gazette extraordinary No. 1253/3 and dated 2002.09.09

Notifications
l. Notification of establishment of Fisheries Management Committees for Muruthawela reservoir Management Area Gazette extraordinary No 1223/36 and dated 2002.02.12

Year – 2003

Regulations
l. The Export and Import Live Fish Regulations I 998 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1273/6 and dated 2003.01.27
2. The Chank Fisheries Management and Export Regulations 2003 Gazette extraordinary No. 1298/1 and dated 2003.07.21
3. The Fish Processing Establishment Regulations No.1 of 2003 Gazette extraordinary No. 1320/17 and dated 2003.12.24

Orders
1. Order of Kiriibbanweva Reservoir declared as a Fisheries Management area Gazette extraordinary No. 1301/5 and dated 2003.08.13
2. Order of Urusitaweva Reservoir declared as a Fisheries Management area Gazette extraordinary No. 1306/5 and dated 2003.09.15
3. Order of Handapanagalawewa Reservoir declared as a Fisheries Management area Gazette extraordinary No. 1306/9 and dated 2003.09.16
4. Order of Athimale reservoir declared as a Fisheries Management area Gazette extraordinary No. 1306/9 and dated 2003.09.16

Notifications
1. Notification of establishment of Fisheries Management Committees for Ridiyagama reservoir Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1270/28 and dated 2003.01.09

Year – 2004
l. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(Amendment) Act No4 of 2004

Orders
1. Land and water bodies separately declared as fisheries Management Areas Gazette extraordinary No. 1326/4 and dated 2004.02.03

Year – 2005
Regulations
1. Fishing Operation Regulations 1996 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1392/8 and dated 2005.05.11

Orders
1. Order of Negombo lagoon designated as a fishery Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1415/12 and dated 2005.10.18

Year – 2006
1. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ( amendment) Act No. 22 of 2006

Regulations
1. The Regulations of Fishing Boats Regulations 1980 (Amendment) 1980 Gazette extraordinary No. 1430/4 and dated 2006.01.30
2. Payment of Reward Regulations, 2006 Gazette extraordinary No. 1430/5 and dated 2006.01.30
3. Monofilament Nets Prohibition Regulations Gazette extraordinary No. 1454- and dated 2006.07.21

Year – 2007

1. Bolgoda Reservoir ( Fishing Operations) Regulations, 2007 Gazette extraordinary No. 1493/18 and dated 2007.04. 20
2. Fish Product ( Export ) Regulations 1998 ( Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1528/7 and dated 2007.12. 17

Year – 2008
1. Landing of Fish Regulations 1997 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1555/13 and dated 2008. 06. 26
2. Local Fishing Boats (Life Jackets) Regulations Gazette extraordinary No. 1570/ 32

Orders
1. Order of Inland water bodies Fisheries Management Areas Gazette extraordinary No. 1536/20 and dated 2008. 02.13

Year – 2009
Regulations
1. Fishing boats safety (Design, construction and Equipment ) Regulations 2009 Gazette extraordinary No. 1600/13 and dated 2009.05.05

Orders
1. Order of Periya Lagoon Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1614/19 and dated 2009.08.13

Notifications
1. Declaration of prohibited Time Period for lobster Gazette extraordinary No.1601/36 and dated 2009.05.05

Year – 2010

Regulations
1. Fishing ( Import and Export ) Regulations 2010 Gazette extraordinary No. 1665 /16 and dated 2010. 08. 04

Orders
1. Order of Puttalam Lagoon Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No.
2. Order of Komari Lagoon, Murukkandan Lagoon and Thimitta Lagoon Fisheries
3. Order of South Coast (Matara and Galle Districts) Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1665/18 and dated 2010.08.04
4. Order of South Coast (Hambantota District) Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1665/18 and dated 2010.08.04
5. Order of North West Coast {Puttalam and Mannar District) Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1665/18 and dated 2010.08.04

Year – 2011

l. Fisheries (Cancellation of Fees) Regulations 2011 Gazette extraordinary No. 1698 /13 and dated 2011. 03. 23
2. Landing of Fish Regulations 1997 ( Amendment ) Gazette extraordinary No. 1700 /19 and dated 2011. 04. 07
3. Nilwella Fisheries Regulations No. 1 of 2011 Gazette extraordinary No. 1711/4 and dated 2011. 06. 20
4. Boat Registration Regulations 1980 ( Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1730 /9 and dated 2011. 11. 01 Gazette extraordinary No. 1730I 14 and dated 2011. 11. 02
5. Regulations for the fishing of cuttlefish (fishing Operations) in sea area of Udappuwa and Semuthu Thoduwawa in the Puttalam District Gazette dated 2011. 11. 23
7. Inland Fishing Operation Regulations 2011 Gazette extraordinary No. 1733I 24 and dated 2011. 11. 23

Notifications
1. prohibited fishing within the mentioned area described in the schedule by the chart and map Gazette extraordinary No. 1702/2 and dated 2011. 04.18

Year – 2012
Regulations
l. Fish Catch Data Regulations 2012 Gazette extraordinary No. 1755 / 32 and dated 2012.04.25
2. Prohibition of Catching Thresher Shark Regulations Gazette extraordinary No. 1768 I 36
3. The fishing Operation Regulations of catching live ornamental fish or lobster in the south coast (Matara and Galle District) fisheries Management Area 2012 Gazette

extraordinary No. 1770 I 25 and dated 2012. 08.10
4. Fishing Operations Regulations of catching Chank or Lobster in the South Coast (Hambantota District) Fisheries Management Area 2012 Gazette extraordinary No. 1774/36

and dated 2012.09.07
5. The Fisheries Management (Collection of Dead Shells ) Regulations 2012 Gazette extraordinary No. 1780 I 31 and dated 2012. 10.19
6. The payment of Reward Regulations 2006 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1788

Orders
1. Order of Chilaw Lagoon Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1744/ 04 and dated 2012. 02.08

Notifications

1. Notification of establishment of Committees for catching live ornamental fish and lobster in the South Coast (Matara and GalleDistrict ) Fisheries Management Area

Gazette extraordinary No. 1743/ 8 and dated 2012. 01.31
2. Notification of establishment of Committees for catching Chank and lobster in the South Coast (Hambantota District ) Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary

No. 1745/6 and dated 2012. 02.13
3. Notification of establishment of Committees for Chilaw lagoon Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1772/ 29 and dated 2012. 08.22

Year – 2013

l. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (amendment) Act No. 35 of 2013

Regulations
l. The Fishing (Import and Export ) Regulations 2010 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1832/ 11 and dated 2013.10.14

Orders
1. Order of East Coast { Batticaloa District ) is designated as Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1801/29 and dated 2013.03.14
Notifications
1. Prohibited fishing within the mentioned area described in the schedule by the chart and map Gazette extraordinary No. 1801/28 and dated 2013.03.14
2. Notification of establishment of Committees for East Coast (Batticaloa District) Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No. 1819/17 and dated 2013.07.17

Year – 2014
1. The fish Catch Data Collection Regulations 2014 Gazette extraordinary No. 1878/ 11 and dated 2014.09.01
2. High Seas Fishing Operations Regulations No 1 of 2014 Gazette extraordinary No. 1878/ 12 and dated 2014.09.01
3. High Seas Fishing Operations Regulations No 1 of 2014 (amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1892/ 41 and dated 2014.12.12

Year – 2015
1. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources(amendment) Act No. 2 of 2015

Regulations

1. The Fishing Gear marking Regulations No 1 of 2015 Gazette extraordinary No. 1904/10 and dated 2015.03.03
2. Implementation of Satellite based Vessel Monitoring System (.VMS) for Fishing Boats operating in high Seas Regulations 2015 Gazette extraordinary No. 1907/9 dated

2015.03.26
3. Implementation of Port state measures to, Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal Unreported and unregulated Fishing Regulations Gazette extraordinary No. 1907- and

dated 2015.03.26
4. The Export Cultured Marine Organisms on Artificial Substrates Regulations 2011 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No. 1924/6 and dated 2015.07.20
5. Shark Fishery Management Regulations, 2015 Gazette Extraordinary Number and dated 1938/2, 2015.10.26
6. Shark Fishery Management (High seas) Regulations, 2015 Gazette Extraordinary Number and dated 1938/2, 2015.10.26
7. High seas fishing operation Regulations No 1 of 2014 (Amendment) Gazette Extraordinary Number and dated 1945/6, 2015.12.14
8. Minimum standards for the citizen of Sri Lanka engaged in fishing operations in foreign waters 2015.12.14

Orders

l. Order of the Kokkilai Lagoon designated as a Fisheries Management Area Gazette- extraordinary No. 1925/38 and dated 2015.07.28

Year – 2016
l. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act, No. 2 of 2016

Orders
1. The Urani Lagoon and Kottal Lagoon Is hereby designated as a Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No . 1964/2 and dated 2016.04.25
2. The Madampa Lagoon in the Galle District in the Southern Province is hereby designated as a Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No 1997/17 and dated 2016.12.15 

3. The Koggala Lagoon in the Galle District in the Southern Province is hereby designated as a Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No . 1997/18 and dated 2016.12.15 

5. The Garanduwa Lagoon in the Matara District in the Southern Province is hereby designated as a Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No 1997/19 and dated 2016.12.15

6. The Thalan (Dedhduwa ) Lagoon ln the Galle District in the Southern Province Is hereby designated as a Fisheries Management Area Gazette extraordinary No . 1997/20 and dated 2016.12.15

Notifications
1. Notification of establishment of Committees for Kokkilai Lagoon Gazette extraordinary No. 1995/9 and dated 2016.11.29 Regulatlons. Orders and Notifications under

Year – 2017
l. Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (amendment) Act No.11 of 2017

Regulations

l. Prohibition of Use of Spears ln Fishing Operations Regulations No.1 of 2017. No. 2008/31 03.03.2017
2. Prohibition of Catching Fish Species Thambuwa (cephalapholis sonnerati) Regulations 2017. No.2014/4 – 11.04.2017
3. Fish and Fishery Products, Export, Import and Re-export Management Regulations 2017.No. 2023/51 – 15.06.2017
4. Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing Regulations 2015 (amendment) No. 2027/32- 13.07.2017
5. Conservation of Fish and Aquatic Resources within Sri Lanka Waters No. 2008/30 – 03.03.2017

Orders

1. East coast (Ampara District) Fisheries Management Area. No. 2036/27-13.09.2017

Notifications
1. Fisheries Management committee had been established and registered for Thalan Lagoon Fisheries Management Area published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1997/20-

15.12.2016 (No. 2027/33 – 13.07 .2017)
2. Fisheries Management committee had been established and registered for Madampa Lagoon Fisheries Management Area published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1997/17-

15.12.2016 (No. 2027/33 -13.07.2017)
3. Fisheries Management committee had been established and registered for Koggala Lagoon Fisheries Management Area published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1997/18 –

15.12.2016{No. 2027/33 – 13.07.2017)
4. Fisheries Management committee had been established and registered for Garanduwa Lagoon Fisheries Management Area published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1997/19 –

15.12.2016 (No. 2027/33 – 13.07 .2017)

Year – 2018

1. Fisheries (Regulations of Foreign Fishing Boats) (Amendment) Act, No. 01 of 2018

Regulations
1. Madel (Beach Seine ) Fishing Regulations 1984 (Amendme.nt) Gazette extraordinary No . 2065/33 and dated 2018.04.05

Year – 2019

Regulations
1. Minimum standards for the citizens of Sri Lanka engaged in fishing operations in foreign flagged fishing boats Regulations (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No .2107/50 and dated 2019.01.25 

2. The Fishing Operations Regulations of 1996 (Amendment) Gazette extraordinary No .2115/8 and dated 2019.03.18
3. Issuance of Certificates of Competence for Skippers (local fishing boats ) Regulations 2019 Gazette extraordinary No. 2126/6 and dated 2019.06.03

Year – 2020

Imports and export (control) Act Gazette extraordinary No.2171/5 and dated 2020/04/16

Year – 2022

• These regulations may be cited as the Implementation of Satellite baed Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and other Electronic Vessel Monitoring Systems for Fishing Vessels Operating in Sri Lanka Waters and High Seas Regulations (2022)

Year 2023

• Mechanized Fishing Boats Orders No. 1 of 2023
•  Implementation of Satellite baed Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and other Electronic Vessel Monitoring Systems for Fishing Vessels Operating in Sri Lanka Waters and High Seas Regulations (2022)