Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources

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