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Fishing boats in the regulatory net for plastic waste
View(s):Thousands of fishing vessels that carry plastic water bottles and containers will be required to bring them back to shore under new laws being pondered to cut down the plastic waste piles that litter the oceans around Sri Lanka and choke precious marine life.
Sri Lanka among top marine polluters
When fishing vessels return to port, crews will be required to account for plastic containers they took on board. There are an estimated 53,900 fishing vessels in the dozen main fishing districts. The industry will be encouraged to use larger — five litres or more — water containers.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has joined hands with Marine Environment Protection Authority to bring in these measures.
Director General Christie Fernando said that all fishing vessels will have to account for the number of bottles of water. Boats will only be allowed to have on board containers of five-litre capacity or more and each vessel will be asked to report the number of bottles they have and account for the same on their return.
Fernando said that about 4,000 multi-day vessels cary about 100,00 litres of water to last a month. “They use the water for washing, cleaning, cooking purposes.’’
Fernando said a circular has been sent to all the district fisheries offices and to assistant fisheries directors. The regulation is being drafted and will be incorporated in the act soon, he said.
The Marine Environment Protection Authority said 22 fishing harbours will be monitored together with the Fisheries Ministry.
Chairman Rohana Perera said awareness of plastic waste will be raised. “We are encouraging them to manage, minimise and re-use plastic responsibly.’’
| 22 HARBOURS TO BE UPGRADED | |
| Twenty two fisheries harbours including Mirissa are being turned into green harbours, the Marine Environment Protection Authority said. These harbours will have a effluent treatment plan, an auction hall and a new pier. The government has allocated Rs.175 million for the Mirissa harbour project. For treatment plants, Rs.32 million has been allocated. The Mirrissa harbour will have facilities for whale watching. |