Sri Lanka is to offer its fisheries harbours to countries from East Asia and to Dubai, in a bid to prevent European countries from "exploiting fishing resources" in the Indian Ocean, reported the Sunday Times.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Rajitha Senaratne stated that around 20 Chinese and 8 Japanese vessels had already been offered use of Sri Lanka’s harbours for fishing, adding,
“They will be operating under the Sri Lankan flag and will process the fish for exports in local harbours. Sri Lanka will benefit by imposing port charges and export taxes”.
The minister went on to slam European countries for fishing in the Indian Ocean, stating that with their vessels having an increased capacity to hold fish, were exploiting the region’s fishing resources.
Sri Lanka previously clashed with European countries over fishing in the region, managing to avoid a ban on all its fish export to the European Union, after the United Kingdom complained of Sri Lanka’s illegal poaching last year.
Sri Lanka promises to comply with fishing rules after UK complaint (13 May 2012)
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