The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has approved the resumption of fishing from Puttalam to Hambantota after an improvement in weather conditions.
Strong winds affecting the sea areas from Puttalam to Colombo and from Galle to Hambantota have eased, the department said, allowing fishermen to return to sea while observing the necessary safety precautions.
The sea from Hambantota to Pottuvil remains at a dangerous level. Fishermen have been advised to avoid fishing in that stretch until further notice.
The department warned that sea conditions elsewhere around the island could deteriorate again under the influence of the southwest monsoon, with wind speeds expected to increase at times. All fishermen were urged to wear life jackets at sea and to follow subsequent weather advisories and safety instructions.
Boats have been ashore since Monday
The clearance partially lifts a ban that has kept small and one-day vessels in port for most of the week. The department extended the ban across the whole Puttalam-to-Pottuvil coast on Monday, covering waters off Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Pottuvil.
Director General of Fisheries Susantha Kahawatta said at the time that the ban would be lifted as soon as Met Department data showed conditions had improved. Wednesday’s notice is that lifting, applied to the western and southern sections of the coast but not the southeastern one.
It follows the expiry of the Met Department’s Red advisory for the same coastline, issued on Tuesday with gusts of 60-70 kmph forecast and valid until 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The spell has been costly. Five fishermen died in weather-related incidents at sea in the days before the ban was widened.
The department did not give a timeframe for reopening the Hambantota-Pottuvil stretch.
Sources: Ada Derana.
