Fisheries industry will lead by 2013:

Thrice the income from fisheries by 2016

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has taken measures to develop the entire fisheries industry by the end of 2013 and make it one of the leading industries in Sri Lanka, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

The minister was addressing the Post-tsunami Coastal Rehabilitation Resource Management programme organized with a loan from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry.

All steps have been taken to increase fishery industry's income by three times by the end of 2016.

"We have formulated a clear plan to develop the industry and it is being implemented from this year. Both sea water and inland water fishery industries will be developed. Plans are afoot to develop the fishery industry in the North and East. We have provided fishing communities with vessels and other equipment", the minister said.

The minister added that a special office network will be established in every district in the near future to identify the fishing communities' needs and to solve their problems.