Observers have seen it coming. On January 15th, 2015, the European Union will most likely close its market for fish imports from Sri Lanka. This will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s small-scale fishery, particularly for its extensive multi-day fishing fleet.
The government is, however, eager to quash debate about the issue. A national seminar that was planned by academics at the University of Colombo on November 21st on the topic had to be cancelled following strong pressure from the Minister of Fisheries, Mr Rajitha Seneratne.
What is the situation? In line with its Common Fisheries Policy, the European Commission decided in 2010 to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by countries from which it is importing fish products.
The Sri Lankan country evaluation, published in 2012, concludes: Sri Lanka has failed to discharge its duties. It was given 2 years to take appropriate measures. When several key requirements, such as the implementation of a vessel monitoring system and an observer system were still not in place by October 2014, the country was blacklisted.
After the ban was announced, small-scale fishermen in Sri Lanka took to the streets, holding a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, demanding more information also on the joint ventures that the Sri Lankan government has initiated with foreign industrial fishing companies. They were met by a group of goons and a hail of stones and bottles.
The main victims of the ban will be the multi-day boat fishers of the country who roam the Indian Ocean in a fleet of tiny vessels, in pursuit of tuna and other high-value fish species.
Not only will these multi-day fishers lose an important export market (70% of Sri Lanka’s export fish goes to the EU), but fish prices in the country are also possibly going to be affected.
It was to discuss the backgrounds and possible impacts of a ban that academics from the University of Colombo and the University of Ruhuna decided to organize a national seminar on November 21, also inviting officers from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Board of Investment (that deals with joint ventures) to present their views.
That seminar would have been an opportunity for the public to discuss an important societal matter. But discussion is not what this Minister seems to want. Does he have something to hide?