Fish production to increase to 686,000 MTs

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Minister Senaratne

Measures are in place to increase the total fish production of the country to 686,000 metric tons by next year increasing the inland water fish harvest to 98,000 metric tons, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

The minister was explaining the future plans of the fisheries industry issuing a message on International Ocean Day on June 8.

Arrangements have been made to increase the sea fish production in the North and East to 43 percent and deep sea fish production by 194 percent. The inland water fish harvest will also be increased by 100 percent, he added. “In 2009, we received only 339,730 metric tons of fish as the total fish harvest of the year. But we increased it to 444,830 metric tons within two years. It is the largest fish harvest in the country's history.

We have already implemented a large scale programme to achieve these goals by 2013,” the minister said. Banning of illegal fishing vessels and equipment has caused the increase in fish harvest. It also helps preserve the beauty of the sea as well, he said. In addition, all arrangements have been made to begin aquatic organism farming in 8,000 new reservoirs this year to double the inland water fish harvest in the country.