North fish production on the increase

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Arrangements are in place to increase the Northern province fish production. With the donations granted by the government last year fish production increased, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne said.

The minister was addressing a ceremony in Mullativu district recently, to distribute fishing vessels and equipment.

Fishing net sets,22 fishing vessels,60 canoes and a haul of other essential equipment costing around Rs 150 million were distributed.

The minister said: "Before the last three decades, the Northern province provided 43 percent of the total fish harvest in the country.

It was decreased to seven percent due to terrorism.

"The Eastern province provided 15.5 percent of the total fish harvest in the country before terrorism, which decreased to eight percent in the last three decades. At present it has increased to 21 percent.

"The Fisheries Ministry has achieved significant development including the North and East provinces and is making a vital contribution to the country's development, the minister said.

He said: "The government has spent around Rs.500 million for the fisheries sector development projects in the North and East.

"The ministry along with the Fisheries Department and National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) has taken measures to renovate all reservoirs in the North and East destroyed by terrorism.

It aims to increase fish export to 38,000 metric tons by the end of 2013,Minister Senaratne said.

Puttalam District MP Victor Anthony Perera,Kilinochchi District Presidential Cordinating Secretary Geethanjalee Naguleshwaram, NAQDA director General Nimal Hettiarachchi, 68th Brigade Commander Brigadier K.J. Wijatathilake and 59th Brigade Commander Brigadier D.R.H. Dias also participated.