THASL hails Govt move to boost tourism
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THASL opposes moves to legalise spearfishing
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By Namini WijedasaView(s):
Government plans to allow spearfishing or underwater hunting for tourists have raised fears that Sri Lanka’s stunning marine life, particularly around its world famous coral reefs, will be fished to extinction.
Spearfishing was banned in 2017 after it was found that the sport–practised the way it was in Sri Lanka using scuba gear or “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus” had caused reefs to be decimated and localised extinction of various species. These include Napoleon wrasse, groupers and the beautiful parrot fish.
“It is easy to sit and shoot fish while you are on scuba,” pointed out Dharshana Jayawardena, an internationally renowned diver. Spearfishing could be sustainable if done without scuba, as part of breath-hold diving.