Sri Lanka National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

This revised Sri Lanka National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (SLNPOA-IUU) reflects the intent and actions promoted in the FAO’s 2001 International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU) . The objective of the IPOA-IUU is to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by providing all states with comprehensive, effective and transparent measures by which to act, including through appropriate regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs) or arrangements established in accordance with international law. The IPOA-IUU called on States to develop and implement NPOAs –IUU, to further achieve the objectives of the IPOA-IUU and to give effect to its provisions as an integral part of their fisheries management programmes and budget.
The fisheries industry of Sri Lanka contributes significantly to the nutrition, employment and food security, foreign exchange earnings, and government revenue of the country, and therefore its sustainability has become a primary concern in the country’s economic development. IUU fishing depletes fish stocks through overfishing and is a serious threat to the region’s food security. It also results in large economic losses to coastal States and can significantly damage marine environments and fish habitats. Consistent with the IPOA-IUU, Sri Lanka’s NPOA-IUU is based on the overarching principles and strategies prescribed in Section 3, including: 1). Sri Lanka commits to implement measures against IUU fishing directly through the fisheries management mechanism that has been established by the Government or in co-operation with other coastal States, or indirectly through the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) or other RFMO as appropriate by providing the necessary support including information. 2). SLNPOA-IUU is consistent with, and seeks to enhance, the long-term sustainable utilization of fish stocks and the protection of the marine environment.
The SLNPOA-IUU covers all marine capture fisheries, contains the measures that are being implemented and those proposed to be adopted for implementation to combat IUU fishing activities conducted by local fishing boats in Sri Lanka waters, waters of national jurisdictions of other coastal States, and high seas, and by foreign fishing boats in Sri Lanka waters. It also contains port State measures that are being implemented against foreign fishing boats engaged in IUU fishing in high seas and seek access to ports in Sri Lanka to obtain port services, land their catches.
The SLNPOA-IUU includes an integrated approach, not only involving Coastal State measures, Flag State measures, Port State measures, and also involving Market State measures where applicable. All local stakeholders that include fishing boat owners, fishing boat skippers and fishers, fish traders and exporters, fisheries managers, fisheries law enforcement officials, fisheries researchers and NGOs have been made aware of the SLNPOA-IUU. The SLNPOA-IUU ensures that measures against IUU fishing are consistent with the conservation and sustainability of fisheries resources and protection of the marine environment. The SLNPOA-IUU further gives effect to the relevant provisions of the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA-IUU). Most provisions of the SLNPOA-IUU are legally binding as they are based on provisions of the national legislation. Other provisions such as training of staff are implemented administratively. Accordingly, SLNPOA-IUU serves as an integral part of the national fisheries management regime. Budgetary provisions are being made annually from the national budget for its implementation.