Special program to protect sharks in Bay of Bengal LME
Accordingly, the ministry has prepared a special plan for the protection and management of sharks called the Sri Lanka National Plan of Action for protection and management of these sea mammals. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has implemented this National Plan in collaboration with the National Aquatic Resources Development Authority (NAQDA), ministry sources said.
The project is funded by the regional organization, Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME).
The project aims to identify shark species, their composition, possible breeding grounds and other factors which are relevant to shark conservation.
Sharks are protected under the project in line with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
A recent survey ranked Sri Lanka as one of the top countries in the world in shark fishing, placing the country at 14th place among the top 20 countries, sources further explained.
"Sri Lanka has consulted a wide variety of stakeholders such as fisheries managers, academics, fishermen, fish vendors, NGOs and consumers to compile the National Action Plan," the Ministry said.