SLN re-imposes briefly eased fishing restriction

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 02 January 2002, 19:19 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy Wednesday re-imposed the restriction on fishing off the Vadamaradchi coast of Jaffna that it had partially eased following the United National Front government's decision to make good will gestures towards creating a conducive atmosphere for starting the peace process. Fishermen in Katkovalam and Sakkottai alleged that the SLN had demanded part of their daily catch in return for easing the limit on the hours allowed for fishing off this coast. All fishing in the seas off the Vadamaradchi coast from Thikkam to Thondamanar is still banned.

Fishermen in villages between Katkovalam and Sakkottai on the Vadamaradchi coast were allowed to fish only for four hours from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

However, the fishermen on this coast allege the SLN had told them that it could permit them to fish from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. if they gave part of the daily catch. The restriction was eased on 29 December 2001.

On Monday the fishermen told the SLN that they could not give the stipulated part of the catch, as there was little or no profit to be gained from what was left.