Lanka developing into a world fisheries hub - Rajitha

Ridma Dissanayake

Sri Lanka will have 12 more fisheries harbours by 2015, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

Addressing the Shramabhimani awards ceremony at the BMICH recently, the minister said his ministry has made arrangements to increase the country's annual fish harvest to 685,000 metric tons within the next two years.

He said plans are also underway to launch a special programme to achieve their target to make the fisheries industry the wonder of the Sri Lankan economy.

"We have commenced a number of projects to breed new fish varieties including Sea bass and Barramundi.

The pilot projects for this commenced in Negombo and Kinniya," he said.

"Our aim is to rope in the European market.

We also commenced a pilot project for oyster farming in the Mannar district.

We received 396 metric tons of oysters as the first harvest. We hope to export oysters as well," Senaratne said.