‘Let us Protect our Harbours’, begins

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The community based sustainable fisheries harbours development project - “Let us protect our Harbours”- (Ape Waraya Api Rekaganimu) is to commence today from the Mirissa fisheries harbour in Matara under the patronage of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

“There are 18 fisheries harbours in Sri Lanka and all measures are in place to establish another 11 fisheries harbours with the aim of increasing the fish harvest and to uplift the livelihoods of the fisheries community, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development”, Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne said.

“Maintaining fisheries harbours in a clean and attractive condition is one of the the main objectives of this harbour development programme which will also help develop the tourism industry”, he said.

The fisheries ministry will launch this special project along with the Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation (CFHC), he added.” The ministry has planned to maintain these harbours to meet international certification as well”, he said.

‘We hope that this project will also help to make a major contribution to the tourism industry, while receiving more attention from local and foreign tourists”, the minister said.

“The government has spent large amount of money on the construction of these fisheries harbours”, Senaratne further stated. “Let us Protect our Harbours,” project which begins today, will continue as a Shramadhana campaign and will be implemented without any government or CFHC funds.” he said.

The Fisheries Ministry, CFHC and fisheries community will participate in this Shramadhana campaign.