Abstract:
The European Union Deforestation-free Regulation
(EUDR), adopted in 2023, seeks to guarantee that
commodities entering the EU are free from
deforestation after 31 December 2020, with strict
requirements for traceability and due diligence.
While aquaculture is not yet included, this study
evaluates the environmental and regulatory
dimensions of Sri Lanka’s land-based shrimp farming
to assess its suitability for future inclusion. Evidence
from coastal districts shows that shrimp farming
contributes to mangrove loss, carbon emissions,
biodiversity decline and reduced coastal ecosystem
services; impacts comparable to those of EUDRregulated commodities.
Regulatory analysis reveals gaps in geolocation-based
traceability, legality verification and land-use
monitoring. Even though the Sri Lanka’s marine
resource governance framework offers some
protection, the provisions fall short of addressing the
conversion of critical habitats for aquaculture and
centralized Monitoring, Reporting and Verification
(MRV) systems are lacking. Voluntary certifications
such as ASC and BAP remain underutilized. The
study recommends aligning national governance with
EUDR principles through legal reforms, MRV
implementation, certification expansion. It also
highlights ecological risks from converting
regenerating mangroves on abandoned saltern lands,
advocating for their consideration within
deforestation-free compliance frameworks.
