Mechanised beach seine method and related issues get closer scrutiny View(s):By Sajeniya SathanandanGroups of beach seine fishers have ended their Satyagraha following undertakings of further studies to find a balanced solution to the use of tractor-mounted winches for ma-del (beach seine) fishing. The campaign involved seine fishers from several coastal areas, including Mullaitivu, Kokilai, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Kaluthara, Trincomalee, Negombo, and Mannar. They initially tried pulling nets directly with tractors in low gear, but this was banned by the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa due to concerns over beach erosion. Pulling nets from such great distances acts similarly to bottom trawling, scraping the seabed and destroying the marine environment. They see the use of tractors and winches currently being banned as a window of opportunity for comparative research.

Source: Sunday Times February 15, 2026 07:28 UTC