Trincomalee fishermen demonstrate to preserve sea resource

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 May 2004, 04:35 GMT]
Hundreds of fishermen of Trincomalee district from all communities under one wing Saturday held a one hour demonstration in the round-about of the Clock Tower junction in the heart of Trincomalee town demanding that the Fisheries Ordinance of the Ministry of Fisheries that prohibits dynamiting fish and using prohibited nets should be implemented to safeguard the sea resources of the district, sources said.

Protestors shouted slogans alleging that the Police and fisheries officials have been supporting the illegal acts of dynamiting fish and using prohibited nets in the Trincomalee Sea, causing immense damage to the sea resources, sources said.

Organizers of the demonstration said police and fisheries officials are showing no interest at all in implementing the fisheries ordinance. Because of this small fishermen who fish using catamarans, canoes and also engaged in net fishing have been badly affected, sources said.

Fishermen engaged in deep-sea fishing are not affected due to these illegal acts, they said.

Tamil Muslim and Sinhalese fishermen from several fishing coastal villages, Salli, Ales garden, Jamaliya, Third Mile post, Vijithapura, Sandy Cove, Veeranagar, Ward No 10, Thirukdaloor and Srimapura in the Trincomalee district participated in the demonstration, sources said.


Tamil and Sinhala fishermen-demonstrators carrying posters in their respective languages.



Trincomalee fishermen demonstrate.