Northern fishermen accuse Chinese-linked farms of damaging marine resources

The Northern United Fishermen’s Association has accused several Chinese-linked companies operating sea cucumber and turtle farms in Jaffna and Kilinochchi of damaging marine resources and disrupting the livelihoods of local fishermen.

Speaking at a media briefing in Jaffna, representatives of the association alleged that where Chinese companies were unable to obtain approval to operate farms directly, the ventures had been established under the names of individuals from areas such as Chilaw, Negombo and Wennappuwa.

They claimed that vessels used to maintain the farms were operating across large areas of the northern coast, damaging marine resources and creating difficulties for fishermen in Jaffna and Kilinochchi.

The association said sea cucumber and turtle-related activities had traditionally provided self-employment opportunities for northern fishing communities, but alleged that the entry of large-scale Chinese companies had reduced opportunities available to local fishermen.

Fishermen in the North were already struggling with the impact of bottom trawling by Indian fishing vessels, the association said, adding that the expansion of large-scale aquaculture had created an additional challenge.

Representatives said they had raised their concerns with the Fisheries Minister but had not received a satisfactory response.

The association also accused the government of allowing Chinese companies extensive access to northern coastal areas and warned that failure to regulate such operations would make it more difficult to address illegal fishing by Indian vessels.

Pic - Members of the Northern United Fishermen’s Association addressing the media