New fisheries harbours, ports

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry in collaboration with the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) has taken measures to establish new fishery harbours and ports according to a national plan, said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne.

These steps were taken to protect the attractiveness of beaches. "A beach is a national resource; it not only belongs to fishermen. It is a resource which belongs to the whole generation with a great value and it is the centre of the tourism industry as well," he added.

The minister was addressing a meeting of the National Fisheries Society at NAQDA recently. Around 150 representatives from 25 districts such as Kalutara, Trincomalee, Negombo, Colombo, Galle, Matara, Tangalle, Jaffna, Mannar, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi and Kalmunai participated in this meeting.

"Fishermen think that the beach is only to stop their boats. This is wrong and the whole fisheries industry should remember that it belongs to the whole society. Beaches in Sri Lanka is the most attractive in the world. We have a responsibility to protect it for our next generation," the minister said.

Senaratne also discussed problems in the fisheries industry and solutions found to them.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources development Ministry's Secretary Dr Damitha De Soysa, Minister's Public Affairs Officer Pemasiri Perera, NAQDA Chairman Jayantha Chandrasoma and Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department's Director H A Kulathunga were also present.