'CFC will buy small fish from fishermen'

Ridma Dissanayake

"Ceylon Fisheries corporation (CFC) is always ready to buy small fish for a fair price from the fishermen," said Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne addressing the ceremonial distribution of fishing gear to the fishing community in Kalutara District. Fisheries Ministry had allocated Rs 4.6 million on this project.

The fishing communities in Wadduwa and Beruwala areas also benefited from this project. Nineteen Fishing net sets which included motors and fishing nets which are used in canoes were distributed among the fishermen in above areas. Five fish boxes and life jackets also included to those sets.

Small fish cultivation had increased because of the ban of illegal fishing vessels and gear. At present, small scale fishery industries are having a good fish cultivation, the minister said.

"We have spent a large sum of money on Ifhardy project in areas from Aluthgama to Maggona. We have built 72 houses for Raladinugama fishery community and allocated Rs. 1.4 million to build a community centre in Payagala, well", the Minister said.

Fisheries Ministry has allocated Rs.5.5 million for the Kalutara fishery community alone.

All measures have been taken to create a fisheries industry using modern technology. Fisheries Organization has been established with a membership of 75,000 fishermen, Minister Senaratne added.

National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) Chairman Jayantha Chandrasoma, Ifhardy project's Kalutara district Manager Neel Munasinghe,Kalutara district Assistant Fisheries Director Nandasena and Kalutara district Fisheries Association's Chairman D.Dayananda also participated.