Fishing industry, a success story now - Rajitha

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government spends Rs 4,110 million a year to grant fuel subsidy to fisheries vessels. After the government granted the subsidy, the number of fishing vessels increased by 600. All measures are in place to grant the subsidy for all these vessels as well, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

The government spends Rs 375 million a month on the fuel subsidy. All fishing vessels, including multi-day fishing vessels and one day fishing vessels are entitled to this subsidy, he added.

Minister Senaratne was addressing a ceremony to distribute fishing equipment in Wellaweediya, Negombo recently.

The minister distributed fishing equipment worth Rs 400,000 among 176 fishermen in Negombo .

The Spanish government has funded this project under the South East Asian Regional Fisheries Livelihood Uplift Programme.

The annual per capita fish consumption in Sri Lanka has increased to 13.5 kilogrammes, by 38 percent when compared to 2010. The annual per capita fish consumption was only 10.9 kilogrammes in 2010. The fisheries industry has achieved a number of goals throughout the last two to three years, the minister said.

Minister Senaratne urged the fishermen to not cross the International Maritime Boundary Lines when fishing. He said the government has to spend a large sum to release fishermen when they are taken into custody by the Indian authorities.