Fillip for inland fishing industry

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: The National Aquaculture Development Authority has worked out elaborate programmes aimed at improving the inland fishing industry. The NAQDA chairman Munidasa Premachandra said.

Speaking to the Daily News the chairman said "We have identified the need to improve the breeding of fresh water fish in inland reservoirs as we have a big demand both locally and internationally, but upto now we have only been able to cater to a fraction of this huge demand" said the chairman adding that this would provide a good income avenue for entrepreneurs in both the local and international markets as well as providing employment opportunities.

According to the chairman there are about 250,000 hectares of water bodies which could be used to increase inland fish production but at the moment only a fraction of this is used. In order to rectify the problem NAQDA has planned to build 25 breeding units in various areas. At present they have completed eleven such units and the rest would be completed before the end of the year, Premachandra said.

"These units would be managed by the fish societies in the relevant areas and the necessary training would be provided by the NAQDA. One unit consists of 12 small tanks and would provide employment to 10 fishermen.

The income generated for a season is expected to be around Rs.20,000 per person and there are five seasons per annum" said the chairman adding that this move is expected to facilitate the increase in the inland fish production which would give a much needed boost to the rural economy.

Meanwhile NAQDA has planned to build a breeding centre for fresh water prawns in Tangalle and we have proposed another centre in Chilaw, said the chairman adding that there was a huge demand for prawns specially in the international market. These facilities would be built in an eco-friendly manner to minimise pollution.

NAQDA has also initiated a breeding centre for ornamental fish in Kurunegala and this would also be used as a training facility aimed at increasing the output of ornamental fish. This would cater mainly to the export market said the chairman adding that they have planned to build a breeding centre for decorative plants in an area adjacent to this.

According to the chairman these projects are funded by the Asian Development Bank and entrepreneurs can apply for a loan from the National Development Bank." At the moment our production is catering to only three percent of the world market demand but with the help of these new projects we hope to increase this beyond five", said the chairman.