“If we focus solely on increasing sea cucumber production or allow illegal activities, it will disrupt the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. We must act in a way that ensures the sustainability and long-term stability of our environment,” stated Honourable Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayahan
The sea cucumber production seminar jointly organized by Cinnamon Global and Jaffna University was held today, Saturday morning (26.07.2025), at the North Hat Hotel.
The Governor, who gave the opening remarks here, said: “When I served as the District Secretary of Jaffna, many complained that outsiders were harvesting sea cucumbers in the northern and eastern coastal waters. At that time, action was taken through the Navy to control this. Questions were also raised as to why our own fishermen could not handle this task. Over the past five years, this situation has completely changed. However, unfortunately, the disadvantage that poor people cannot engage in this industry still persists.
In the past, our country faced obstacles that discouraged investors from coming in, due to various reasons. Today, that situation has changed. However, the facilities provided to local investors who are already here are still insufficient. We are making efforts to improve and reform these conditions.
In recent years, Sri Lanka’s exports—especially sea cucumber exports from the North—have doubled. However, if we focus only on increasing quantity while neglecting sustainability, it could end up harming the very industry we are trying to develop. We must take note of what has happened in India. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, sea cucumbers are granted the same level of protection as tigers and elephants. There, harvesting sea cucumbers is completely prohibited.
At the same time, unfortunately, some illegal fishing activities have emerged within Sri Lanka’s maritime areas, particularly in the North. Our coastal regions are being exploited for various reasons and are at risk of being turned into hubs for illegal trade. We must ensure that the reputation of our resources and communities is not tarnished on the international stage.
Although we are already on the right path, if we do not properly regulate this industry, there is a risk of repeating past mistakes. That is why measures have been taken to introduce minimum legal regulatory standards.
If we over-harvest sea cucumbers or allow illegal activities, we will disrupt the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. To manage this, I am putting forward a few proposals here. Certain areas of our coastal region should be designated as protected marine sanctuaries where any activities, including fishing, are strictly prohibited. These zones will help restore marine biodiversity and can also become attractive centers for eco-tourism and aquatic tourism. This, in turn, could provide new sources of income for local communities.
Using accurate environmental data, we must identify where sustainable sea cucumber farming can be conducted and where it should be avoided. An integrated committee comprising the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Navy, Customs, and community leaders should collaborate to halt illegal sea cucumber farming and trade.
At the same time, with the support of universities, technical experts, and industry leaders, a Marine Fisheries Research and Innovation Center should be established in the North. Through this, we can advance the development of sea cucumber processing facilities, reduce diseases, produce higher-quality and more valuable products, modernize farms, and enhance monitoring capabilities using digital tools. Additionally, sustainable fisheries training centers can be established to provide continuous learning opportunities for farmers.
Additionally, international certifications should be introduced so that our sea cucumber farmers can sell directly to foreign markets. Beyond exporting sea cucumbers from our province, we must also establish a distinct brand for the sea cucumbers of our region.
The Governor stated in his speech, “I believe that within the next five years, the Northern Province will emerge as a global leader in sustainable sea cucumber farming.”
