A survey on fishing of sea cucumber and conch shells by NARA revealed that the harvest of sea cucumber and conch shells is decreasing gradually in the Sri Lankan sea area. The reasons is most divers are harvesting these sea resources using illegal methods without a management system. Minister Amaraweera informed the Divers Association to restrict the issuing of licences to harvest sea cucumber and conch shells on the recommendation of NARA.

Minister Amaraweera met divers representatives last week in his ministry. Representatives presented their issues and requested relief. The minister said the decision was temporarily.

"Our goal is harvesting of sea cucumber and conch shells gradually within the eight or nine years. After that we can remove the restriction," he said.

The Fisheries Minister said oyster pearls disappeared from Chilaw due to over-harvesting.