Fish resources database slated for 2008 release

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

COLOMBO: The first extensive forecast and survey on fish resources will be released in January 2008.

The National Aquatic Resources Authority (NARA) has been conducting surveys on fish resources in the Sri Lankan sea belt. The forecast will be based on ongoing NARA investigations, NARA Chairman K. Haputhanthrie said.

According to the Chairman, basic data and details are being collected using satellites. Supervision tours are also being carried out.

This will pave the way for building an extensive database on fish resources accessible to fishermen. They will be able to catch a larger quantity of fish in a comparatively short time period with prior knowledge of the places where fish is abundant, thus saving fuel and manpower.

The NARA has started another project titled 'Lider Survey' (Light Detection and Ranging System Survey) aiming to accelerate the development and construction process in coastal areas.

Three dimensional pictures and data are collected in coastal areas using an aircraft which flies 500 metres above mean sea level. Data on the seabed and ground areas one kilometre from the coastal line will also be collected.

All these data will help minimise delays when a development programme is carried out.

"The process of collecting basic data goes on for years before starting development projects in coastal areas. After collecting data on coastal areas through the Lider Survey this lengthy time consumption would be minimised," said NARA sources.

The Air Force, the Navy, the Coastal Conservation Department and the Survey Department are contributing to this project.