Ministry to invest Rs. 869m for Northern fishermen

Shirley WIJESINGHE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry will invest Rs. 869 million to re-engage the fishermen of North who were denied fishing opportunities due to terrorist activities.

This investment will be placed in line with the 180 day accelerated program launched by the Government under the Uthuru Vasanthaya master development drive of the North.

This was revealed by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera addressing the media yesterday.

Minister Perera explained that the rehabilitation of the fishery industry in the North will be launched in three stages - 180 day plan, middle term and long term plan.

All the required boats, fishing gear and other implements will be provided to the fishermen after resettlement. Before their settlement, 3.7 million of fingerlings will be put into all reservoirs in the Northern Province. The Minister said the estimated cost under the middle level plan will be over Rs.1,170 million.

The Ministry hopes to obtain this money through the supplementary budget and the foreign funds coming through the FAO/CIDA.

He also said his Ministry has decided to increase fish production in the North and market the surplus in Southern parts of the country to uplift the economy of the fishermen in the North.