Sri Lanka’s fishing fleet operates across one of the world’s busiest maritime regions, but the same waters that support fisheries and trade are also vulnerable to exploitation by organised criminal networks. Fishing vessels have increasingly become a focus of concern due to their potential use in illegal activities including drug smuggling, human trafficking and migrant movement.
Recognising these threats, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to make Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) mandatory for approximately 1,500 fishing vessels that currently operate without such tracking technology. The move aims to strengthen maritime surveillance and prevent fishing vessels from being misused for activities that threaten national security.
The issue is particularly significant because Sri Lanka has more than 5,200 registered multi-day fishing vessels. While 4,200 vessels already have VMS devices installed through Australian Government assistance, vessels registered before January 1, 2021 have remained outside the mandatory monitoring framework.
Among the 1,500 vessels identified for installation, around 400 vessels longer than 34 feet have the ability to operate in international waters. Their size, endurance and operational capacity make them more suitable for extended voyages, increasing the importance of effective monitoring and enforcement.
Criminal networks often attempt to exploit maritime spaces because large ocean areas are difficult to monitor continuously. Without effective tracking systems, identifying suspicious vessel movements, unauthorised routes or prolonged periods without communication becomes significantly more difficult.
The introduction of mandatory VMS provides authorities with a critical surveillance tool. However, technology alone cannot eliminate maritime crime. A stronger response requires fully equipped naval surveillance units with modern patrol vessels, aerial monitoring capability, radar systems and rapid-response teams capable of intercepting suspicious vessels.
Sri Lanka’s maritime security agencies must also strengthen cooperation between fisheries authorities, the Sri Lanka Navy, international partners and regional organisations. Sharing intelligence on trafficking patterns and suspicious maritime activity is essential because crimes at sea often cross national boundaries.
Sri Lanka’s obligations under the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission further highlight the need for continuous vessel monitoring. International fishing operations require transparent tracking mechanisms to ensure compliance with conservation measures and prevent illegal exploitation of marine resources.
The installation of VMS on all relevant fishing vessels should therefore be viewed as part of a broader maritime security strategy rather than a single fisheries reform. Protecting the country’s ocean resources requires an integrated approach combining technology, enforcement capacity and international cooperation.
As criminal groups continue to search for vulnerable routes across the seas, Sri Lanka’s response must be equally advanced. A well-equipped naval surveillance network supported by mandatory vessel monitoring could become a powerful barrier against illegal fishing and other maritime crimes threatening the nation’s waters.