Special Program to Prevent Illegal Fishing Activities

29-Aug-2025

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The Government has decided to implement a Bay of Bengal Regional Action Plan to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

With the aim of restoring depleting fisheries resources and ensuring food security, the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate IUU Fishing was unanimously adopted in 2001 by the member states of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

As a result, Sri Lanka too has prepared its National Plan of Action in this regard. At the same time, member states of the intergovernmental organization of Bay of Bengal countries have agreed to sign a joint Regional Plan of Action to take measures against IUU fishing.

Through this plan, the objective is to strengthen measures to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing not only in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of countries such as Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, but also in maritime areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources to sign the said Regional Plan of Action.