Sri Lanka Fisheries Ministry to introduce non conventional projects to acquire more aquatic resources in the North

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry of Sri Lanka is to launch non traditional marine resource development projects under the "Uthuru Vasanthaya" accelerated development drive in the North.

The Ministry plans to undertake four different projects for this purpose at a cost of Rs. 800 million.

The projects aim to uplift the livelihood of the fishermen and get them adapted to fishing activities on new marine resources which are valued high in the foreign markets, sources added. Read more ...

Fishermen Scoop Up Sri Lanka’s Peace Dividend

It was just after dawn and the fish market beneath this port city’s clock tower was humming. Fishermen shouldering baskets laden with the night’s catch tipped their Spanish mackerel, tuna and prawns onto the slick concrete floor for buyers. Sweaty men with clipboards and wads of cash leaned in close to inspect with crinkled noses, squinting eyes and prodding fingers.

“I’ll take this for 500 rupees a kilo,” nearly $5, one buyer said to an expectant fisherman, waving his chin in the direction of a large, glistening yellowfin tuna. “Can you get me more?”

Fishermen here certainly hope so. The end of the brutal 26-year war against the Tamil Tiger insurgency in Sri Lanka prompted the government to ease fishing restrictions on Trincomalee’s harbor, breathing new life into the region’s moribund fishing industry. Boats once moldering on shore now go on all-night runs for tuna, squid and lobster. Ghostly markets are coming back to life. Read more ...

Total revival of NE fishing soon

Sri Lanka can soon expect a total revival of the North East fishing sector with the relaxation of security measures.

Around 4,000 fishermen in Jaffna harvest 53,000 metric tons of fish per year. However, due to security precautions in 2008 the volume came down to 14,000 metric tons of fish while in the East the 72,000 MT fish yield had dropped to 22,380 MT.

However, in 2008 with the dawn of peace, fish production in the Eastern province increased to 61,000 MT. With permanent peace only a few days away the Northern fishing sector too is expected to get into top gear. New technology such as radio links are to be introduced in addition to the value chain from cool rooms, ice plants and freezer trucks being supplied. "A total physical distribution system is getting into place and there are many opportunities for the private sector to set up a fish canning factory as well," said Director, Economic Affairs of the Government Peace Secretariat, Rohantha Athukorala. Due to the 26-year conflict the North and East districts remain as the most underdeveloped regions in Sri Lanka and the Government is rightly focusing on development and bringing down the regional disparity. Read more ...