Ministry to fish in a big way
Chamikara WEERASINGHE
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne
announced yesterday that his Ministry has signed agreements on joint
ventures with two foreign companies to introduce 1,000 fishing vessels
by the end of 2011. The vessels will be placed with the Corporation. The
fishermen using them should carry the national flag and the emblem of
the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, he said.
Once they start operations, the Corporation will get enough fish to
influence the fish market in a big way. Thus we can bring fish prices
down, he explained. The Ministry has prepared an action plan to
alleviate malnutrition in the country in which the Ministry will promote
fish as a main source of nutrient in everyone's meal.
Minister Senaratne said the Ministry's Fisheries Corporation will be
the key to achieve this. Steps have been taken to enhance the
Corporation's services to the public.
The Ministry will also set up 250 fish retail outlets throughout the
island to ensure the availability of fish sold by the Corporation by the
end of 2011. The Corporation's fish will be sold at lower rates to the
public, he said. Of the 250 outlets to be set up, 40 will be established
in the Kalutara district.
The Ministry will increase the number of fishery harbours in the
country from 18 to 26 in keeping with the program. "This will facilitate
fishermen to maintain hygiene of fish," he said. Meanwhile, the Ministry
has stepped up action to construct two fishery harbours at Silawatura
and Gurunagar in the Northern Coast and another harbour at Gandara in
Matara. Denmark will construct the Northern Fishery harbours.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency will construct two
harbours at Milady and Chulipuram in Jaffna. China will construct a
harbour at Kalamatiya in the Southern Coast besides supporting the
Ministry to re-construct the existing harbours to international
standards.
Dr Senaratne said Northern fishery industry is fast developing with
the steps taken by the Fisheries Ministry. The Fish production in the
North was at seven percent before the war was brought to an end. The
Province's fish production has increased to 43 percent, he said.
"This is still not enough to reach the Ministry's envisioned target.
Therefore we plan to promote deep sea based fisheries in the country to
increase deep sea fish catches by three fold,"he said.
Commenting on the situation of malnutrition, the Minister said it is
unfortunate that there are cases of child malnutrition.
The Ministry will change the situation with a special focus to
eradicate malnutrition.
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