Thailand, Indonesia pledge support for fisheries industry

THAILAND and Indonesia have pledged to support the fresh water and brackish water fisheries industry in Sri Lanka. The two countries pledged their support to the Minister of Fisheries Aquatic Resources and Christian Affairs, Milroy Fernando during his visit to Thailand and Indonesia last week.

The main objective of the project is to develop the industry as a foreign exchange earner. Under the project these two countries will provide technical and financial assistance for breeding centres which are under the National Aqua Culture Development Authority.

Experts from these countries hope to visit Sri Lanka next week, a ministry spokesman said.

Fish that grow in these breeding centres will release to tanks where fishermen could catch them easily. There is good demand for these species in the international market, spokesman said.

Financial assistance will also provide for a new breeding centre in the Puttlam district. There are 30,000 hectares of brackish water areas in the district. Breeding centre will use cage culture system and this system helps increase the fish harvest.

There are 400,000 hectares of fresh water and brackish water areas in the country.

Nearly 500,000 people are involved in this industry and this new project will enable to increase their income by 70 per cent he said. - (AS)