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Oceanic eco-tourism, next target

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Fisheries and Ocean Resources Minister Mahinda Wijesekera yesterday stressed that the " Oceanic Eco-Tourism " should be studied fully as an alternative income generation.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the meeting of Plenipotentiaries under the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP- 3)/FAO for fisheries management at the Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo.

Representatives from seven member countries attended the session which continues today.

Minister Wijesekera emphasised that attention should be paid to the re-allocation and redefinition of partnership with the private sector playing the role of the engine of growth, in the new liberal economic concept.

"The need of a Fisheries Revolving Fund, the services of a Fishermen's Bank and credit facilities are another aspects that the members need to address, he added.

Minister Wijesekera said these concerns have to be addressed together with the electronic exchange of information and experiences if and when BOBP-4 is launched.

The funding and resourcing process in the sector has to follow a " bottom-up approach." If applied the participatory process is going to be cost effective even at higher management levels and full potentialities of the "process" particularly the funding and resourcing would become self evident, he added.

Ministry Secretary S.C. Mannapperuma, FAO Representative in Sri Lanka Dr. Mazlan Jusho and Interim Coordinator Dr. Yugaraj Yadava also spoke. 

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