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Large scale inland fish farming projected - Minister

Wennappuwa Central group correspondent

Our remote area inland fishermen are the poorest of the poor. They just eke out a hand to mouth existence. They get a poor market and a price for their catch.

At the same time there is a heavy demand and a lucrative price for hygienically cleaned and properly dressed inland fresh fish in many European countries. These untapped markets have vast market potential for local species of inland fish including seasonal and perennial tank fish.

We require appropriate logistics and modern post harvest technologies for expo-inland fish.

According to FAO, reports indicate that within another twenty five years there will be a serious depletion in the marine fish resources. Instead of fish hunting, many countries will be compelled to resort to large scale inland fish farming or fish culture, observed Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Mahinda Wijesekera said when he released 18,000 inland fish fingerlings to the Katupotha tank in the Puttalam district.

He said in Sri Lanka we have over 360,000 hectares inland water reservoirs both perennial and seasonal. Inland fish farming could be developed in these reservoirs.

With the advent of modern science and technology more emphasis is given to the fish farming or culture of fish as large scale commercial ventures with targeted dividends. Compared with the natural fish fingerling breeding, the mortality on laboratory or hatchery breeding percentage is less than ten percent. The National Aquaculture Authority is now geared to take any challenges", said Minister Wijesekera.

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