Illegal Fishing Activity ‒ A New Threat in Mannar Island Coastal Area (Sri Lanka)

Illegal fishing net use is one of the most serious threats to the health of the world’s fisheries and for the secure employment of fishers. Illegal modes of fishing adversely affect the fishing industry according to the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Ministry of Sri Lanka which is the regulatory body of the fisheries industry. In Sri Lanka, usage of illegal fishing methods has increased in recent years. There is an urgent need to identify prohibited or illegal fishing activities and the use of dangerous or harmful substances in fishing. The present study was carried out in the Mannar coastal area from June 2013 until the latter part of June 2014, to identify illegal, prohibited and dangerous fishing activities, and to understand the major threats and impacts on the fishing community and the socio, economic, biological and ecological impacts through field surveys and library methods. The study aims to outline appropriate planning and solutions to minimize illegal fishing and to save the coastal biodiversity and fishing community.