Sri Lanka EEZ

For the management, regulation, conservation and development of fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka.

Species of Concern: multiple

Restrictions

Sri Lanka has sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of these waters. Fishing restrictions, such as bag limits, seasons, and size restrictions apply.

In accordance with the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, the following restrictions apply:
1. No person shall engage in any prescribed fishing operations in the High Seas, except under the authority, and otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions of a licence granted by the Director-General.
2. No person shall:
a) use or attempt to use any poisonous, explosive, or stupefying substance (including dynamic) or other noxious or harmful matter or substance in Sri Lanka Waters for the purpose of poisoning, killing, stunning, or disabling any fish or other aquatic resources;
b) carry or have in possession any poisonous, explosive, or stupefying substance (including dynamic) or other noxious or harmful material (not being a fishing net) or any substance for any purpose referred to in paragraph (a).
3. No person shall land, sell, buy, receive, possess or transport any fish or other aquatic resources knowing of having reasonable cause to believe that such fish or other aquatic resources have been taken by the use of any poisonous, explosive or stupefying substance (including dynamite) or other noxious or harmful material or substance.
4. No person shall place, deposit, dump or cause the escape of poisonous, explosive or stupefying substance (including dynamite) or other noxious or harmful material or substance in Sri Lanka Waters.
5. No person shall use or possess, or have on board any local fishing boat, any prohibited fishing gear or engage in any prohibited fishing method in any area of Sri Lanka Waters or the High Seas.
6. (1) (a) No person shall engage in or cause any other person to be engaged in fishing operations utilizing bottom trawl nets, including nets with or without two wings or using vertical poles at the two free ends of the net, to be towed by motorized or mechanized fishing boats;
(b) No person shall use, possess, import, transport, purchase or sell any bottom trawl net, to be towed by a motorized or mechanized fishing boat for the purpose of carrying out fishing operations in Sri Lanka Waters.
7. No person shall catch, land, transport, sell, buy, receive or have in possession, such species of prohibited fish, or other aquatic resources as may be prescribed.
8. No person shall use or possess, or have on board any local fishing boat, any spear gun.
9. No person shall engage in any fishing operation using spear guns or hand held spears within Sri Lanka Waters.

Allowed

Please consult local laws for information on allowed activities.