SLN restricts fishing to limited areas in Jaffna lagoon

[TamilNet, Saturday, 17 January 2009, 08:31 GMT]
Sri Lanka military command Saturday imposed restrictions from on fishing in Jaffna lagoon allowing fishermen only to stay within demarcated areas, fisheries sources in Jaffna said. The SLA had earlier removed restrictions from the middle part of December when Pooneryn was brought under Sri Lanka Government control, and the reintroduction of restrictions will force the more than four thousand fisher families in Kurunakar, Paashaiyoor, Columbuththu'rai and Ariyaalai into severe economic difficulties, fisheries representatives said.

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has placed markers from Kalladi to Paalaitivu to demarcate the allowed fishing areas.

Sri Lanka military barred fishermen from using boats fitted with outboard motors from the beginning of this year, and also had banned night fishing in the lagoon.