Significant rise in fish production
Shirley WIJESINGHE
The country's fish production in 2008 has increased by 9.9 percent in
comparison to the previous year (2007), Ministry of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources sources revealed.
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A bountiful catch at the Hambantota Fisheries Harbour.
Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
The financial contribution made to the GDP by the production of fish
for the years 2007 and 2008 were Rs. 24,686 million and Rs. 27,016
million respectively.
The total percentage of the increase of sea fish production is 8.9,
Fresh water fish production of the country has increased by 6.9 percent.
According to Ministry statistics, a rapid decline of annual fish
production has been recorded after the tsunami, 2004.
But after Minister Felix Perera assumed office the fish production
has increased rapidly due to various measures introduced to the fishery
sector.
The main reason for this significant rise in fish production in 2008
is the provision of infrastructure facilities for the entire fishing
sector and introducing more facilities for deep sea fishing, a Ministry
official told the Daily News.
The fresh water fishery industry was considerably encouraged by
creating good market facilities for their products, by the present
Government, an official added. |
