The fisheries industry of Sri Lanka contributes significantly to the nutrition, employment and food security, foreign exchange earnings, and government revenue of the country, and therefore its sustainability has become a primary concern in economic development of the country. Sri Lanka perceives IUU fishing as a serious threat to the sustainability of fisheries in both national jurisdictions and high seas, and agrees that such fishing has to be prevented, deterred and eliminated in order to ensure the sustainability of the fisheries industry and conserve biodiversity in the oceans. Towards this end, Sri Lanka has adopted a number of measures in conformity with the national and international law and is in the process of taking further action. Sri Lanka is also committed to co-operate with other States, both directly and through IOTC and where necessary other the regional fisheries management organization, to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing
