By: Staff Writer
August 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s decision to strengthen shark-fishery management raises a fundamental question: does the country have sufficient information, monitoring capacity and enforcement mechanisms to distinguish sustainable utilisation from the gradual depletion of vulnerable shark populations?
The Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources Ministry says its latest programme is intended to strengthen monitoring, management and regulation of the shark industry in accordance with international standards.
The initiative is particularly important because sharks are frequently caught by Sri Lanka’s multiday fishing fleet as by-catch rather than as the primary target.
This creates a difficult regulatory problem. Monitoring a dedicated shark fishery is relatively straightforward because vessels deliberately target the species. By-catch is more complicated. Sharks can be caught while vessels are targeting tuna and other commercially valuable species, making accurate recording of individual species, numbers, sizes and fishing areas essential.
Without reliable information, policymakers face a serious problem: they may impose unnecessary restrictions on fishermen or, conversely, permit levels of fishing that are damaging already vulnerable populations.
Sri Lanka has recognised the importance of improving shark management for years. Its national planning has included measures aimed at strengthening data collection, species identification, monitoring and control of shark products.
The latest programme provides an opportunity to turn those objectives into stronger practical enforcement.
One of the most important areas will be monitoring what happens between the sea and the export market. Catch documentation, landing-site inspections, vessel records and accurate identification of shark species can help regulators establish whether prohibited species are being retained or traded.
Technology could also play an increasing role. Digital catch reporting, vessel-monitoring systems and modern species-identification tools could reduce opportunities for illegal catches to be mixed with legally caught products.
This is particularly important because shark products can be traded in different forms, including fins, gills, jaws and skin. Once a shark has been processed, identifying its species can become considerably more difficult. Effective traceability must therefore begin before the catch reaches the processing or export stage.
There is an economic argument for stronger management as well. A transparent and credible system could help Sri Lankan exporters maintain access to international markets and demonstrate compliance with increasingly strict sustainability requirements.
However, stronger regulation could also impose costs. Fishermen may face additional reporting requirements, inspections and monitoring expenses. Small operators could find such requirements particularly difficult if financial or technical assistance is not provided.
There is also a danger that excessive bureaucracy could encourage non-compliance rather than improve conservation. If fishermen believe the rules are impractical or unfair, some may be tempted to under-report catches or avoid official channels.
For this reason, consultation with fishing communities will be critical. Fishermen should not simply be treated as subjects of regulation; they can also provide valuable information about changes in shark abundance, fishing grounds and seasonal patterns.
Ultimately, the success of Sri Lanka’s shark-management programme should not be measured by the number of new rules introduced.
It should be measured by whether the country can produce reliable data, identify protected species, prevent illegal trade, enforce regulations consistently and still provide a viable pathway for legitimate fishing and exports.
The objective should be neither unrestricted exploitation nor an impractical ban on shark-related activity.
The real goal must be sustainable use backed by science, accountability and effective enforcement.
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