Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Fisheries has directed the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency to investigate claims of falling fish catches, citing multiple potential environmental and operational factors.
The Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Rathna Gamage, announced in Parliament that the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has been tasked with investigating reports of declining fish catches across the country. The directive comes following media coverage and complaints from fishermen about reduced yields, which the Deputy Minister acknowledged may have merit based on available accounts.
Gamage identified several potential causes for the reported downturn. Rising ocean temperatures could be driving fish populations into deeper waters, moving them away from traditional fishing grounds. Additionally, reduced algae levels may be hampering photosynthesis and the conditions necessary to sustain marine life. Ocean pollution represents another concern, alongside the possibility that global climatic patterns such as El Niño conditions could be influencing local marine ecosystems. The Deputy Minister also noted that unsustainable fishing methods previously identified by NARA research could be contributing to population pressures.
NARA has been instructed to prepare a comprehensive research report addressing several key questions: whether fish availability has actually decreased, if fish populations have declined, and whether marine habitats have undergone changes. The agency is also expected to identify the underlying causes of any changes and propose corrective measures. According to Gamage, the report was expected to be submitted to the Fisheries Ministry secretary on the same day as his parliamentary statement.
