Fisheries Atlas launched

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) assisted by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations have produced the first volume of Sri Lanka Fisheries Atlas.

FAO Representative Patrick Evans handing over the fisheries atlas to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Damitha de Zoysa.

The colourful Atlas, designed on the lines of the National Atlas of Sri Lanka, incorporates the results of surveys and management plans developed for commercially important and export-oriented coastal resources, such as, sea cucumber, chank, shrimp, lobster and marine aquarium fish in the northwest, south and east coasts of the country.

Funds provided under projects supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the technical support provided by FAO has enabled NARA to conduct surveys to determine the distribution and abundance of these resources. NARA and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department have also mobilized the fishing communities, traders and other stakeholders involved in these fisheries to develop management plans for sustainable utilization of these resources.

The Fisheries Atlas with photographs and maps, provides a wealth of data and information on the sea cucumber, chank, shrimp, lobster and marine ornamental fish on the northwest, south and east coast has been printed with funding support from another FAO executed regional programme, the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (RFLP) implemented by the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry in the Gampaha and Puttalam districts.

It is targeted to fisheries managers, researchers, university academics, fish traders, exporters as well as the persons interested in fisheries matters. The production of the Atlas is the culmination of a landmark event the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry in its endeavour to promote collaborative fisheries management of valuable coastal fish resources of the country. The first fisheries atlas was handed over to Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Secretary Damitha de Zoysa by FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Patrick Evans on Monday.