User menu
The total production of tuna and tuna like species of Sri Lanka in year 2019 was 121,167t. 80% of the catch was from the EEZ. 37% of the total catch was Yellow fin tuna, 34% Skipjack tuna and 4% was bigeye tuna. 16% of the catch was bill fish while Sword fish dominate in the catch. The total shark catch was 1508t. The YFT catch reductions adhered as per 19/01. Large scale Gill net are being surveyed and converted to comply with the resolution 17/07.
Over 4000 multi day boats engaged in large pelagic fishing in both high seas and within EEZ. 1449 vessels were authorized to fish in high seas and only 1424 vessels were active. 99% of the high seas operating vessels are <24m. VMS is mandatory for high seas operating vessels. Major fishing gears used were long line and gill net. The gill nets are being discouraged and transformed to selective gears. 38% , 8% and 18% of vessels were exclusively operated for longline, gill net and ring net respectively. 36% of the vessels used multi-gear of more or less combinations of the above gears in seasonal or incidental manner.
Multi-gear vessels are being promoted to long line by introducing mechanized line haulers and the upgrading of vessel conditions to accommodate better cooling systems to improve the fish quality and reduce the post economic loss. High fuel cost has restricted the year round vessel operations and most vessels are being kept anchored. Electronic catch data collection system is being implemented and carried out parallel to the paper log books. On board observers were deployed in all vessels >24m and pilot project on EMS is on going. Port State Measures are being implemented through epsm application. Coastal data collection system is being improved by introducing
