74 per cent growth in fish production

Anjana SAMARASINGHE

COLOMBO: The total fish production has shown a 74 per cent growth during first nine months of this year.

Director General (Development) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources A. Hettiarachchi said there is a significant growth in total fish production this year compared with last year.

During the first nine months of last year, Sri Lanka produced 99,360 tones of fish. This has increased to 172,460 tonnes this year.

Marine fish production has recorded 148,030 tonnes in the first nine months of this year. This is a 94 per cent growth compared with 2005.

Inland fish production recorded 24,410 tonnes from January to September this year, a five per cent growth compared with the same period of 2005.

After the tsunami rehabilitation process, there is a rapid growth in the number of fishing boats which has resulted in higher fish production, Hettiarachchi said.

There is a four per cent decline in fish imports during this year due to higher fish production, Hettiarachchi said.

Sri Lanka imported 57,000 tonnes of fish valued at Rs 6,773 million during this year. Last year, the country imported 59,545 tonnes of fish spending Rs 5,400 million. However, the country has spent more money for fish imports this year mainly due to the depreciation of the rupee.