Vessel Monitoring System soon

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry plans to introduce a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to the Fisheries industry, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne at a recent press conference.

The VMS Project is in operation at present as a pilot project and will be introduced within the next two months.

The Minister said this system would be made compulsory to multi-day fishing vessels in the future.

"President Mahinda Rajapaksa had exempted the Fisheries Industry from income tax in the 2011 budget to provide an opportunity for foreign countries to invest in the fishing industry," the Minister said.

The Minister said the Fisheries Industry is experiencing rapid development and measures have been taken to increase fish production.

He said the Norwegian Government had agreed to provide all assistance to our fishing industry, because of its progress.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Dr Damitha de Soysa, Cey-Nor Foundation Chairman Sarath Kumara de Silva and Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Haradstad were also present.