The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has imposed an immediate ban on small fishing boats venturing out to sea along the coastal belt from Jaffna to Beruwala, following forecasts of worsening weather.
The department said the decision was taken in response to a Met Department forecast warning that seas around the island could become extremely rough, with persistent rainfall and strong winds expected to affect the western coast from the night of July 31.
Operators of small and one-day fishing boats engaged in coastal fishing off Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo and Kalutara — as far south as Beruwala — have been instructed not to put out to sea until further notice.
Director General of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Susantha Kahawatta warned that wind speeds in these coastal areas could reach 70 kmph, producing high waves and rough conditions that pose a serious threat to small vessels. He instructed all small and one-day boats currently at sea to return immediately to the nearest safe harbour.
Kahawatta urged fishermen not to take unnecessary risks under any circumstances, noting that winds were expected to intensify overnight. He advised the fishing community to monitor further advisories from both his department and the Met Department.
A second front on the coast
The order opens a new stretch of coastline to restrictions. On Wednesday the department suspended fishing off the northern and south-eastern coasts — from Kankesanthurai through Mannar to Kalpitiya, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil — after a Red-level sea advisory. Saturday’s directive is narrower in the vessels it covers, applying to small and one-day boats rather than all fishing activity, but extends the affected belt down the entire western seaboard to Beruwala.
The restriction follows the Met Department’s Amber advisory for heavy rain issued the same morning, and coincides with a minor flood warning for the Kelani River basin.
Bans of this kind fall hardest on single-day operators, who fish close to shore and have no way to recover lost earnings. The department has not set an end date, tying the restriction instead to subsequent weather advisories.
