CFC in deep sea fishing agreement with Maldives

Anjana SAMARASINGHE

FISHING: The Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) entered into an agreement with Ensis Fishing (Pvt) Limited a Maldivian fishing company, to fish in the deep sea and international waters and to promote fish exports.

Signing of the MOU between the two parties was held recently at the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The General Manager CFC, Sarath Sahabandu told Daily News that CFC has not been in deep sea fishing operations since 1981 due to lack of expertise in deep sea fishing. Under the new joint venture CFC will provide necessary boats and other equipment for the Maldivian company and they will do deep sea fishing for CFC.

The Maldivian company will also do the marketing and exports too. Plans have been made to provide fish for markets such as Japan.

CFC has purchased two fishing boats with the latest technologies, which could be used for deep sea operations. The total cost of the boats was Rs 64 million and funds have been provided by Japan.

Sahabandu said the CFC will deploy these boats for the new venture as their equity and profit gain through the venture will be shared by both parties. Meanwhile this Maldivian company will train local fishermen on deep sea fishing too.

The CFC expects to purchase more boats every year and enhance the deep sea fishing process. In future the Corporation will do the business alone after gaining the necessary training.

After producing for the international market the balance fish will be produced to the local market under the project, he said.

Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Felix Perera said this new project will enable CFC to produce fish for the local market and there will be a possibility for CFC to make some impact on the prices of the local fish market.