NWP Council to boost inland fishery industry

Christie Fernando, Chilaw special corr.

CHILAW: The North Western Province (NWP) fisheries ministry has commenced viable projects to boost inland fisheries it has identified 7,000 lakes, reservoirs and tanks in the NWP By stocking fish-fry in the lakes, it is expected to enhance fish production," said NWP Provincial Minister of Fisheries, Rural Industries and Rural Development B. Anthony Victor Perera. He was addressing a press conference in the Chilaw division, held at the Fisheries Ministry in Chilaw.

He said fish-fry or fish fingerlings cultured under the management of the provincial fisheries ministry will be distributed at subsidised rates to entrepreneurs who engage in inland fisheries. The villagers prefer to buy fish caught from tanks and lakes, as marine fish is expensive in the open market.

We have stocked fish-fry in 85 lakes. Next year we'll introduce fish-fingerlings in another 100 tanks. So, when they grow, the rural fishermen can harvest fish needed to feed the village folk," he said.

The ministry has also taken steps to culture inland shrimp fisheries in ponds. The handloom industry which was relegated to the background will be revitalised to generate employment in the rural sector. There are a lot of unemployed girls engaged in this industry to reap a good income.

Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Rural Industries and Rural Development Ranjith Waidyathilaka said: "We have manufactured fishing craft and distributed to local fishermen at subsidised rates. This was done as a relief measure so that the local fishermen would be on a sound footing to eke out a living.

We have also improved rural industries in the Wayamba province. We are now embarking upon a feasible project to promote the sale of dried fish in the Chilaw-Puttalam district", he said.