Modern technology for inland fisheries, aquaculture industries

Ridma Dissanayake

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry has taken a number of measures to develop fisheries and aquaculture industries in Sri Lanka along with its affiliated institutions, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

The minister said the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) and the National Aquatic Resource Research and Development Agency (NARA) have to play a vital role in this development programme.

Participating in an inspection tour of a private inland fish breeding farm in Suwandaarachchimulla, Payagala, Minister Senaratne said arrangements are in place to introduce modern technology to fisheries and aquaculture industries to increase fish breeding.

NAQDA is to develop over 12,000 reservoirs in the dry zone as fresh water fish farming tanks.

This will support to increase the annual inland fish harvest. This will also help reap a good income, the minister said.

He said the inland fish and aquaculture industries is a lucrative self - employment venture. "Persons willing to begin an inland fish farm as self - employment has to spend only Rs 50,000. They can earn over Rs 100,000 per month. The NAQDA is always ready to grant instructions to them," the minister said.

NAQDA chairman Jayantha Chandrasoma and NARA chairman Dr Sayuru Samarasundara also participated.