GHOST FISHING NET REMOVAL PROJECT AT SENANAYAKE SAMUDRAYA, GALOYA

WNPS in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Gal Oya team, are currently undertaking a project to cleanup Senanayake Samudraya of discarded fishing nets and other debris leftover by fishermen, which are posing a serious threat to local wildlife. The DWC reported that countless dead crocodiles, turtles, water birds including migratory species and even pangolins were found entangled in discarded ghost nets. Senanayake Samudraya is a heaven for local wildlife and covers an area of over 5,500 acres. The project will protect the lives of many species of local wildlife and the WNPS also hopes to carry out workshops with the local fishing communities to educate them on the dangers of irresponsibly discarding fishing gear in and around the waters of Senanayake Samudraya.

Funding for the project was organized by a WNPS Life Member based in New Zealand with fellow Sri Lankan’s donating from Australia and New Zealand, UK & USA