COLOMBO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced, on Wednesday, that fishermen who illegally cross foreign maritime boundaries or deliberately disable their Vessel's Monitoring System units will face a six-month fishing ban.
The regulation, which takes effect on Feb. 1, will apply to the skipper and the full crew of any vessel found violating these rules, officials said.
Ministry of Fisheries said the measure is intended to safeguard sustainability in internationally recognized fishing zones and ensure compliance with global maritime standards.
Fishery sector employs around 2.4 million people directly and indirectly, official data showed. Sri Lanka's total marine fish catch amounted to 415,490 metric tons. ■