Fish exports to top US $ 1 b by 2015

Production to increase with North, East harvesting:

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

Sri Lanka can reach a one billion dollar income from fish exports by 2015, INFOFISH Governing Council Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Janaka Ratnayake addressing the event

The value of exports has increased from US$ 103 million in 2005 to US$ 202 million in year 2010.

The main export markets for Sri Lanka are European Union, Japan and the USA by more than 120 Sri Lankan exporters.

Speaking at the inauguration of 26th INFOFISH Governing Council at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel Colombo yesterday he said 85 percent of total production of fish in the country is consumed locally and only 5 percent is exported.

This quantity is received by using one third of the coastal line.

Sri Lanka has a coastline of around 1,700 kilometres and the coastal zone is of considerable socio-economic importance. Therefore, with the entire coastline being liberated and the north and east is fully operational the production will be enhanced and export will be increased going beyond self sufficiency.”

From January to October 2011, Sri Lanka produced 309,580 metric tonnes of marine fish and 47,450 metric tonnes of freshwater fish. Sri Lanka exports around 172 million tonnes of fish annually.

Over 95 million tonnes of fish are imported to the country but the bulk of it is re-exported.

The Export Development Board has directed its market strategies to capture more shares in the export market by focusing on the products having high growth trends.

The fish and fishery product sector has been identified in the EDB strategic plan for year 2010-15 as a priority product sector which can be developed to reach the expected target.

He said the Government is taking action to rebuild and modernize fisheries infrastructure in the areas affected by the conflict.

The EDB has many strategies to strengthen this sector such as seafood exhibitions. Ratnayake said as the regional body for development of fishery industry, INFOFISH has provided a remarkable support for the member countries including Sri Lanka by providing up to date market information, technical advisory services.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Rajitha Senaratne said fisheries is important to Sri Lanka as it provides livelihood to nearly half a million persons while catering to the growing animal protein requirement of the population.

He hoped to increase production to nearly 600,000 metric tonnes by 2013 from the production of 400,000 metric tonnes and to double the aquaculture production to 90,000 metric tonnes to support this effort. The INFOFISH sessions will continue till December 10.