More than 50 dolphins killed off Sri Lankan resort

By Thomas Whittle Updated 01/02/2013

COLOMBO, Jan. 31 — Sri Lanka has launched an investigation into the killing of over 50 dolphins off a popular beach resort in the north-western part of the country, officials said on Thursday.

Fishermen in the Kalpitiya Resort have found over 50 dolphins killed over the past two days and the authorities believe that illegal fishing methods may have resulted in the mass killing.

The army, navy and police have launched a joint investigation into the incident.

“We have arrested four suspects since Wednesday and more suspects are going to be taken into custody by next week,” Chairman of the National Aquatic Resource Research and Development Agency, Sayuru Samarasundara told Xinhua.

Kalpitiya is a popular tourist destination frequented mostly for dolphin and whale watching and officials are now considering implementing tough measure against the use of illegal fishing methods.

“Some fishermen in the area have been using a net called the ‘ Laila Net’ which is a banned fishing gear. The use of this net has resulted in the death of the dolphins,” Samarasundara said.

Kalpitiya is home to natural habitats of diverse fauna and flora.

Fishing is a major source of incomes for most people in Sri Lanka who live along the coastal areas of the island.

However the use of illegal fishing methods has seen the

Dolphin Massacre in the Kalpitiya Sea

[ Thursday, 31 January 2013, 04:41.13 AM GMT +05:30 ]

Fishermen today revealed of a dolphin massacre in the Kalpitiya - Kaandankuliya coastal belt after 42 dolphins were killed yesterday alone.

Traditional fishermen allege that valuable marine life is being massacred using illegal fishing methods. Several fishermen who witnessed the massacre expressed their views to our news team. The Minister of Fisheries and aquatic resources , Sarath Kumara Gunaratne stated that he will take necessary steps to prevent this activity.