Moves to up fish harvest by 650,000mt

Ban on illegal equipment, vessels sees rise in annual fish harvest:

Ridma Dissanayake

All measures are in place to increase the annual fish harvest to 650,000 metric tons, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.

"The fish harvest is increasing rapidly due to the ban on the use of illegal equipment and vessels," he said.

"We have taken measures to obtain a good fish harvest this year as well. President Mahinda Rajapaksa allocated a large sum for the development of the fisheries sector through Budget 2013. We hope to develop fisheries harbours islandwide with these funds and foreign investment," the minister said.

Minister Senaratne was expressing his ideas while participating in an inspection tour of the Beruwela Fisheries Harbour.

A total of 339,730 metric tons of fish was harvested at the end of 2009. It increased to 440,830 metric tons at the end of 2011. Fish harvesting increased by 100,000 metric tons. The main reason for this is illegal equipment and vessels not being used in the fisheries industry, he said. "We have totally banned the use of illegal equipment in the fisheries industry. This has seen an increase in small fish harvesting. This has enabled fishermen to reap a good income," the minister said.

Preparations are in place to commence a number of new key projects in the fisheries sector. All plans will be put in to action by 2016 to develop the fisheries industry as the most developed industry in the country, Senaratne said.

Beruwela Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Prasanna Sanjeewa, minister's Coordinating Secretary Sri Lal Munasinghe and Kalutara district Assistant Fisheries Director K Jayakody also participated in the inspection tour.